Air carriers suffer losses: passenger traffic in Armenia decreased by 10%March 16, 2009 - 21:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Passenger turnover in Armenia decreased 10% in the first months of 2009 as compared to 2008 results," Siberian Airways General Representative Mushegh Sayadyan told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. Mr. Sayadyan is not sure whether the financial crisis or dram devaluation are responsible for the situation. "Though Armenia no longer has fuel delivery problems, dram devaluation caused 20-25% increase in air ticket price," Mushegh Sayadyan noted. "The Law on State Due, stipulating inclusion of air tax into the ticket price served as additional psychological barriers to consumers. The Law will come into force from Mar 29. 2009." "Unemployment level increase in Russia entailed the cut in flights to Moscow, where the Armenians were guest working. These days people can afford less trips and visits to their relatives, which ensued in 50% losses. Though of course, people who travel on business won't be able to cancel their tips, reluctant though they feel about the changes introduced," Mr. Sayadyan concluded. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |