Yerevan /Mediamax/. President of Lawyers' International Forum of Tourism and Travel Michael Vukoskic said in Yerevan today that having or not having a national carrier is a political decision.

"While making it, a number of factors should be considered, including the problems typical to the country. I think it's not so important for small countries to have a national carrier. One can put the question this way: to make investments in having a national carrier or developing tourism", he said.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern noted: "Of course, it's the decision of the Armenian government and I understand Armenia's tough regional state. But there are many examples when servicing wasn't suspended in a definite country despite the crisis".

The Ambassador noted the example of Beirut airport during the civil war in Lebanon where "there was no suspension" of any air transportation.

Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia Ara Petrosyan touched upon the state of tourist inflows due to the suspension of Armavia's operation: "We actively contact the private sector and we haven't had any complaint or cancellation of tourist inflow so far. The air companies which had the permission to increase flight frequency closed the market which was formerly owned by Armavia", said the Deputy Minister.