Armenian Airlines’ AOC Extended by 16 Years Amid EU Restrictions

The Civil Aviation Committee of the Republic of Armenia has officially extended Armenian Airlines’ air operator certificate (AOC) by 16 years, marking a significant achievement for the airline’s development and expansion of flight routes. The announcement was made on October 14, 2024, highlighting the carrier’s commitment to improving its services.

Currently, all operators certified by Armenian authorities, including Armenian Airlines, are prohibited from conducting commercial air services to, from, and within the European Union and the UK. This restriction stems from a ban imposed by the EU in June 2020, citing concerns over Armenia’s safety oversight capabilities.

“The decision to include Armenian carriers on the EU Air Safety List was based on a unanimous opinion from the Air Safety Committee. The Commission, with support from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is prepared to cooperate and invest in Armenia to enhance its aviation safety,” stated EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, in 2020.

In September 2024, Armenian officials announced that they had addressed 40 out of the 41 deficiencies identified by EASA, which led to the EU’s initial ban. This progress is expected to improve the airline’s operational prospects in the future.

Armenian Airlines is set to launch new routes starting December 1, 2024, with direct flights from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, to Volgograd, Russia, followed by flights to Delhi, India, beginning December 20, 2024. Both new destinations will be serviced by the airline’s Airbus A321-200.

The airline also mentioned in its latest update that “new and interesting destinations are expected next year,” indicating a positive outlook for future growth. However, flights will be temporarily suspended for aircraft maintenance checks from October 14 to November 22, 2024.

Currently, Armenian Airlines operates a single 14-year-old Airbus A321-200, registered EK-AAD, which was previously used by Asiana Airlines before being acquired from Air Lease Corporation. The airline’s focus on expanding its route network while addressing safety concerns marks a crucial step in its evolution as a carrier in the region.

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