ARMENIA LIBERALIZED AIR COMMUNICATION WITH SIX COUNTRIES – MINISTER

YEREVAN, April 8. / ARKA /. Armenia has liberalized air communication
with Austria, Russia, Iran, Spain, Turkmenistan and Iraq, economy
minister Karen Chshmarityan said today during a Q&A session in the
parliament.

The Armenian government liberalized the domestic civil aviation
sector in late October 2013 saying that all local and foreign airlines
meeting safety standards will be allowed to fly to and from Armenia
without special authorizations or other restrictions.

According to the minister, relating negotiations are being held
now with Qatar, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Jordan,
Thailand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Greece.

He said the three major goals of this policy is opening of new
destinations, ensuring the lowest possible prices for tickets and
providing quality services.

According to Civil Aviation Department of Armenia, last year passenger
traffic through local airports surged by 18.5% from 2013 to 2,082,755
people.-0-