Armenian government wants to use Kapan airport for both domestic and international flights - minister
YEREVAN, March 13. /ARKA/. The Armenian government wants to use the airport in the town of Kapan for both domestic and international flights, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan said in Parliament on Wednesday.
The Zvartnots airport as well as the Shirak International Airport in Gyumri are operated by Armenia International Airports, a company owned by Eduardo Ernekian, an Argentinean businessman of Armenian origin.
Hovik Aghazaryan, an MP from the ruling Civic Compact party, noted that under the agreement with Armenia International Airports Armenia has actually lost the opportunity as well as the right to build another international airport as a ew airport, if built, will have to be located 250 kilometers away from the Zvartnots.
In response, the minister said the government plans to submit an application to bring Kapan airport closer to international standards.
"We are now negotiating with our partners on this issue. We want to change it," Sanosyan said.
Earlier, Syunik Airport in the town of Kapan in southern Armenia received a three-digit code (identifier) YUK from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Syunik became the third civilian airport in Armenia to receive the IATA code, along with Zvartnots and Shirak in Gyumri (LWN).
The Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia explained to ARKA that the code itself does not give the airport the ability to serve international flights. In order to receive the status of international airport it must meet the standards of ICAO international airports.
Syunik Airport, which was idle for about 30 years was reconstructed in accordance with international criteria and certified by the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia in 2020.
Since August 21, 2023, this airport has been operating regular flights between Kapan and yerevan. Flights are operated by NorAir airline twice a week - on Tuesdays and Fridays, a one-way ticket costs 20 thousand drams (about 50 dollars). --0--
