Though Stepanakert airport is now performing general aviation flights only it is ready to operate, Dmitry Atabashyan, the head of Civil Aviation Chief Department, adjacent to NKR Government, told ArmInfo journalist.
According to him, airport performs general flights within agricultural activities and domestic tourism. However, he says, given the current situation there are no flights to Yerevan or other international cities. He did not mention any certain dates for the launch of international flights. They will launch such flights as soon as possible.
Earlier on minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Mirzoyan assured that Stepanakert airport would be operating and would secure the Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to movement.
The Stepanakert airport was built in 1974 and has not been functioning since 1992. The new terminal of the airport was built in 2008 and is going to implement flight on the route Stepanakert-Yerevan-Stepanakert. However, the airport does not operate because of the threats of Azerbaijan to shoot down planes from Stepanakert. Argentinean philanthropist of Armenian decent Eduardo Eurnekian purchased a plane for Stepanakert airport. The airport meets the international equipment standards and provides service for 100 passengers per hour.