Adventure or Reality? Will Armenia-Georgia Air Alliance be Negotiated?
“Aviacompania Armenia” LLC, registered in Armenia 18 December 2015, already announces on flights for April by incredibly cheap prices. Note, as founders of the company, in RA State Register, names of Ashot Torosyan and Georgian citizen Robert Oganesyan are mentioned, however, owner of the company is Georgian oligarch Tamaz Gaiashvili. It was him, who announced that “Armenia” will launch flight from Yerevan to Europe, CIS countries by USD 49, and partially to Asian countries. “People who will book tickets one or two months before the flight, may travel by that price,” Gaiashvili stated.
The air carrier obtained a certificate from the main department of RA Civil Aviation, it also applied to the Ministry of Economy for regular flight permit, however, out of some reasons the issue is being postponed.
168.am made inquiries from Artyom Movsesyan, Head of the General Department of RA Civil Aviation, isn’t it early on announcing flight and tickets for April, when they haven’t obtained the license yet? “No, it isn’t, they speak of their purposes and programs,” Movsesyan replied.
We tried to clarify from Robert Oganesyan, CEO of the company, why they hurry to announce on ticket prices, he promised to comment on this in near future as he was busy. By the way, according to some specialists, they may speak of activity of the company, at least when ticketing is implemented, and currently “Armenia” just makes statements, there is no ticketing.
Shahen Petrosyan, former head of RA Civil Aviation, in an interview with 168.am hesitated on this tizzy and expressed his doubt on establishment of a new national carrier.
“In my opinion, this is just an adventure. Likewise talks were heard a few months ago as well, on the one hand, “Air Armenia” was announcing about launching its flight, then “Dvin Avia”, and many other “Avias”. To tell the truth, it’s a bit difficult to understand what this means.”
According to him, prices for fuel and airport service are too expensive in Armenia, as compared to airports of Tbilisi or Kutaisi, and under these conditions the company can’t implement flights. Sh.Petrosyan considered less possible, that they may have an agreement with the Government, they should bring their fuel form Georgia, as in our country, all the fields, including aviation fuel, are monopolies.
“Let them come true, it’s favorable for our people, if they fly to Europe by USD 50, but I hesitate a little, ” he said.
To the question, is it theoretically possible that airfare to Europe was USD 50, Sh.Petrosyan replied, that air tickets are different, they may sell several tickets by USD 50, and the rest, for instance, for USD 300.
“There are likewise hoaxes, it’s an advertising trick, like a lottery, first come, first served. But we have the “air fare” costing AMD 10 thousand, airport charges the same amount, as a result, the ticket price is not USD 50, but USD 100, and only one way, round trip is USD 200, i.e. it’s the same price, as offered by other companies.
There is no any exactness, whole internet is overwhelmed with ads of that company. Interesting enough, why are they so embarrassed? Judging from previous experience, I consider, this is in line with others, although I’m for alliance with Georgians, and originate an Armenian-Georgian company, in the end, we’ll get rid of Russian monopoly. However, on the same day, when Georgians announce on implementing flights from Yerevan, Aeroflot subsidiary—“Pobeda” working with low prices, will declare on very cheap flights,” Sh.Petrosyan added.
By Gayane Khachatryan
