The largest airline companies are expected to enter Armenian market, Armenia's Economy Minister Artsvik Minasyan stated during the budget hearings held at the Armenian parliament today.
Head of "Free Democrats" Party Khachatur Kokobelyan stated at the hearings that the "open air" policy has destroyed the aviation field and caused leave of airline companies from the Armenian market and growth of prices on air tickets. He stated that the ministry demonstrates inaction and does not take efficient steps aimed at establishing a national airline company.
The minister stated that he does not agree with this assessment. According to him the situation is stable on the Armenian airline market, moreover the largest airline companies are expected to enter it, which will compete with the operating Russian airlines. He stated that there is still a lot of work to do in the field of development of airline infrastructures. "I can present official information that the prices in the Yerevan airport are more affordable than in Tbilisi or Baku airports", he stated.
To remind, on October 23, 2013 the Armenian government approved the programme implying provision of competitive and long-term air transportation services in the country. The program is based on a joint study of McKinsey & Company and National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia. The effect of the new policy appeared to be short-term. Following the liquidation of Armavia in 2013, the "open sky" policy resulted in large-scale exodus of foreign companies from the Armenian market. As a result, due to the high prices of air tickets, many Armenian passengers prefer to make use of the services of neighboring Georgia, where there are several low-cost European companies.