Armenia airlines Founder and Director Tamaz Gaiashvili expressed an opinion in an interview recently that Armenia should abandon “open skies” policy.

Banks.am tried to find out Armenian Government’s position on the announcement and if the authorities are considering the issue of abandoning “open skies” policy.

Answering our question, the Head of Ministry of Economics Civil Aviation Policy and Economic Regulation Department Anna Chobanyan said that abandonment of the policy is not an issue on the agenda.

“Armenian government is pursuing a program to ensure the delivery of sustainable and competitive aviation services. Extensive work has been done for implementation of the program, the results are already tangible: a number of new airlines that carry out regular flights to Zvartnots International Airport entered the Armenian market. Apart from that, some of airlines that had stopped flying to and from Yerevan have restarted their flights”, said Anna Chobanyan.

Answering Banks.am’s question on what position the government has on the issue that the founder of the newly established company suggests they should be given privileges prior to starting the activities, Anna Chobanyan said:

“Each person is free to express his/her opinion and views, but, as already noted, the Armenian government is consistent about “open skies” policy and providing privileges to any particular airline is contradicting the policy”, she concluded.

“I think there should be a transitional period both for Georgians and Armenians. Let us develop for 50 years, and then start “open skies” policy. And now, in order to maintain the existing staff and aviation in general, the sector should be strictly regulated. Government intervention is very important; otherwise the business will not survive in any market. Many countries have national airlines get subsidies. For example Alitalia: The Italian Government spent billions to leave the company in the market. Nothing can be done in Armenia if the market is left free”, said Tamaz Gaiashvili.