ArmInfo. Syunik Airport is ready to provide a platform for various airlines to develop new destinations. Karen Vardanyan, director of the airport and NovAir airline, said this in response to an ArmInfo correspondent's question about the possibility of granting the airport international status on the sidelines of the TOUR EXPO 2026 international exhibition.
"That is, we will create opportunities for regional development," he emphasized.
Vardanyan also noted that certain work to obtain this status was already completed during the reconstruction of the airport building. Today, this requires the implementation of a number of services, including customs, border, and phytosanitary control.
When asked about the investment volume for these tasks, the airport's director noted that a significant amount of funding is required, but that results can be achieved in the short term with consistent work.
Furthermore, in response to a question from an ArmInfo correspondent, he stated that Syunik Airport is open to expanding domestic flights. Specifically, this concerns the development of the Kapan-Gyumri route.
Considering the region's topography, geographic location, and political characteristics, he said, the airport plays a significant role in both social, healthcare, and economic terms.
Reducing travel time from 5-6 hours to 40 minutes, Vardanyan noted, makes it possible to create a new business environment in Kapan and Syunik as a whole.
He also noted that the expenses of the airport and NovAir, the airline operating these flights, are financed by the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Plant (ZCMK). In particular, the plant subsidizes 60-65% of the price of air tickets for passengers, bringing the cost to 20,000 drams.
"The Yerevan-Kapan flights are not really a business concept; they are more of a social concept thanks to ZMMC," he noted.
Today, according to Vardanyan, this flight is in demand among both ordinary citizens, business representatives, and foreign visitors.
In turn, Mariam Androyan, Director of the United Tourism Federation, noted in a conversation with journalists that the launch of Yerevan-Kapan flights is important for the development of domestic tourism and, in general, increasing the attractiveness of the Syunik region for tourists.
Previously, according to her, bringing tourists to Syunik was an extremely difficult task, especially for tourists planning to visit all the countries of the South Caucasus. For them, time is of the essence, and with the launch of a flight connecting Yerevan with Kapan, travel time has been reduced to 40 minutes, which will help successfully attract tourists to the south of Armenia.
It is worth noting that between 2017 and 2020, Syunik Airport was completely modernized - in particular, a new modern passenger terminal was built, the runway was reconstructed, and the latest navigation systems were installed.
In 2020, the airport received an operating certificate. On August 19, 2023, the first official flight from Yerevan was carried out, and regular passenger services began on August 21, 2023. While 25 flights were carried out in 2023 and the total number of passengers was 207, in 2026... Syunik has already carried 2,932 passengers and operated 113 flights. In 2025, the airline operated 98 flights and carried 2,105 passengers, and in 2024, 76 flights and 1,346 passengers. The construction of the airport building, infrastructure, and equipment were financed by the region's largest enterprise, the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine. The Combine continues to finance the operation and maintenance of Syunik Airport, as well as salaries for its employees. To ensure maximum flexibility for passengers, 10 flights per week are currently operated—two flights daily, morning and evening, from Monday to Friday. Syunik Airport provides fast, regular, and reliable service between Yerevan and the southern part of the republic, becoming an efficient and safe alternative to ground transportation. Flights are currently operated by NovAir, using a Czech-made 19-seat aircraft (L-410 UVP-E20).
Airport management has been transferred to the ZCMMC Charitable Foundation (50%) and the Syunik Development Foundation (50%).
It should also be noted that at the end of June, it was announced that the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia was working to grant international status to Syunik Airport.
As previously stated, certain legal issues related to obtaining such status have already been resolved. A roadmap has already been developed that will allow for the expansion of the airport's flight network and the launch of international flights, which will have a significant impact on tourism development.
