TURKISH AIRLINES PREPARES FOR CHARTER FLIGHTS TO YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2008-11-24 13:57:00

ArmInfo. Turkish Airlines (THY) has recently sent unofficial letters
to both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) and the
Foreign Ministry, asking for information regarding charter flights
by Armenian national air company Armavia from Yerevan to Istanbul
and the Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya.

As Turkish Today’s Zaman newspaper says, in its response, the SHGM
said the flights have been taking place with the Foreign Ministry’s
approval and that permission for Armavia’s charter flights to Turkey is
renewed every two or three weeks. In the coming days, THY is expected
to send another letter to the Foreign Ministry asking whether launching
charter flights to Yerevan would "comply with the national interests"
of the country. The final decision will be made after receiving the
Foreign Ministry’s response outlining Ankara’s stance on the issue.

A senior Turkish official, speaking with Today’s Zaman, said THY has
been assuming an important role in Turkish foreign policy. Describing
THY as "an important tool of Turkey’s policy of strategic initiatives,"
the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company
always requests the Foreign Ministry’s view when it prepares to launch
a new flight route abroad.

Currently, Atlasjet, a private Turkish airline company, has been
conducting charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress