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Within the framework of the official visit of the delegation from Armenia to Hainan Province (PRC), 14.12.2019 a meeting was organized by the leadership of the <> of the Governor of the Shirak Region Mr. Petrosyan T. and the management of “Hainan Airlines” (Hainan Airlines).

 

Proposition of organization of direct regular flights between Armenia and China by the <> was received positively by the airline leadership. Armenia was jointly accepted by the airline leadership from the governor of the Shirak region, Mr. Petrosyan T. informed the interlocutors about the region’s possibilities, the presence of one of the two operating airports in Armenia precisely in the Shirak region, about the historical heritage of region, that could serve as an additional attractive factor for Chinese tourists; and the potential increase in attractiveness of discussed air route and passenger flow, respectively.  

The airline management introduced a pilot opening of the Xian-Armenia route (Zvartnots or Shirak airports). As explained by the General Manager of the airline’s network aviation department, Mr. Niu Lin, in order to open a new flight with no constant passenger flow at the initial stage, the airline will not be able to start a flight program without state support in the form of subsidies and / or other benefits and преференций related to flight service. To optimize subsidized costs, the best option would be a bilateral option to support organized flights that carry out their flight program on a regular basis. 

 

Mr. Petrosyan reminded those present that in 2015 between the administrative center of Shirak region the city of Gyumri and the Chinese city of Xi'an, a memorandum on sister cities was signed, which could also positively affect the decisions of the two parties concerning bilateral interstate support of the airline, within implementation of the provisions of the signed bilateral memorandum of cooperation.  

 

Based on the results of the negotiations, the parties exchanged souvenirs and agreed to hold preliminary meetings for each of the parties by various departments of their countries, such as the Ministry of Economy, the Committee of Civil Aviation, agreement with the host airport, on the possible provision of conditions (in aviation, approval of the type of benefits preferences, subsidies) to attract the airline to conduct regular flights between China and Armenia.

 

Based on the results of the negotiations, the parties exchanged souvenirs and agreed to hold preliminary meetings for each of the parties by various departments of their countries, such as the Ministry of Economy, the Committee of Civil Aviation, agreements with the receiving airport etc., on the possible provision of conditions (approval of the type of benefits preferences, subsidies) to attract the airline to conduct regular flights between China and Armenia.