Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert
The Stepanakert Airport, the opening of which has been postponed several times over the past years, has come forth with a new initiative. Tourists visiting Artsakh will now have an opportunity to fly above the territory of NKR.
“The airport is a commercial organization. Therefore, this offer certainly pursues commercial objectives, as well,” Director of the Stepanakert Airport Erik Ohanyan says.
Travel agencies are now willing to establish cooperation with the airport with a view of organizing air trips.
The airport executes the flights with super small planes, Deputy Head of the NKR Civil Aviation Department Samvel Tavadyan said, adding that “the airport is ready to serve those, who wish to fly with their own planes.”
To boost the implementation of promising programs, the airport and the Civil Aviation Department organize courses for pilots.
According to Erik Ohanyan, small aviation has good perspectives of development in Artsakh. Besides serving tourists, it can be used for agricultural purposes, as well, he said.
“We can spray pesticides or fertilize 150 hectares within an hour,” he explained.
As for the reaction of Azerbaijan, the Director said they are not worried about it. He considers that the neighboring country will only benefit if the fields in Karabakh are cleared of pests. He added that it’s even possible to find ways of cooperation with people across the line of contact.
