Armenian Gov't to Subsidize Airlines Launching New Routes

The Armenian government plans to provide financial support from the 2026 state budget to those airlines that will operate flights on new routes to Yerevan's "Zvartnots" and Gyumri's "Shirak" airports. This was announced by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Davit Khudatyan, at a joint meeting of the National Assembly's standing committees during the discussion of the 2026 state budget draft.

According to the minister's presentation, it is planned to allocate 3.6 billion drams from the 2026 state budget for the aviation sector. "This year, for the first time, state support is planned within the framework of the state budget for those airlines that will transport passengers from new destinations to 'Zvartnots' and 'Shirak' airports," he said.

About 3 billion drams are allocated for this purpose to provide subsidies. "Those airlines that express their willingness to be based at Yerevan's 'Zvartnots' or Gyumri's 'Shirak' airports and will carry out passenger transportation from new destinations to Yerevan's 'Zvartnots' or Gyumri's 'Shirak' airports, on the condition that they must have at least 1 new route from Gyumri's 'Shirak' airport, then the transportation of passengers over 2 years of age to Yerevan's 'Zvartnots' airport will be subsidized by 20,000 drams and to Gyumri's 'Shirak' airport by 15,000 drams," Khudatyan detailed.

The minister stressed that the program is open to all airlines that will meet the established conditions. As a positive example, he mentioned that the internationally renowned Wizz Air airline has already been based at "Zvartnots" airport, which testifies to the attractiveness of the Armenian aviation market.