A recent aviation agreement between the European Union (EU) and Armenia will establish direct flights between the two regions. The agreement on a common aviation area is based on common standards and high requirements for safety, security and air traffic management.
1. Direct flights
This signing opens up new perspectives for consumers, airlines as well as airports in Armenia and the EU. All the European airlines will be able to operate direct flights from any EU airport to any airport in Armenia, and vice versa for Armenian airlines. In addition, all limitations and restrictions on flights between Armenia and the EU will be removed and the provisions on open and fair competition will ensure a level playing field.
The agreement will allow the EU and Armenia to strengthen their aviation relations through gradual integration into the EU market. This is an essential step in our strategy to establish closer cooperation with our neighbors.
Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport
2. European Common Aviation Area
The integration of Armenia into the European Common Aviation Area requires the effective and full implementation of EU aviation rules and standards in areas such as aviation safety, security, air traffic management, the environment, economic regulation and consumer protection. These are to be carried out progressively through two transitional periods.
The European Commission will monitor Armenia’s compliance with the relevant EU requirements and standards, through technical assessments. Compliance inspections will also be conducted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for aviation safety.
In Armenia, limited international flight connections generally impede the development of the tourism industry. However, the government’s civil aviation reforms, undertaken several years ago, have resulted in the arrival of several new low-cost carriers in 2019 and 2020 that operate flights between Armenia and major European destinations.
3. Trade opportunities
The EU-Armenia agreement will thus facilitate people-to-people exchanges and expand trade possibilities between the EU and Armenia. It will also be a valuable instrument for the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the EU and Armenia.
“The agreement will allow more travel choices for citizens, new opportunities for the aviation industry, and better network connectivity with new routes and destinations for the benefit of consumers, the tourism industry and trade“, added Valian.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2020 annual research on Armenia, travel and tourism contributed 11.8% to Armenia’s gross domestic product in 2019, providing 12.5% of total employment.
