The Armenian government has approved amendments to regulations governing incentives for airlines operating new routes to and from the country, as part of broader efforts to support the development of the aviation sector.
The changes concern the application of exemptions from the state duty levied on air passengers, commonly known as the “air tax,” as well as requirements related to flight frequency, eligibility criteria and the publication of information on unserved destinations.
Under the previous rules, airlines were required to operate at least 28 flights during the IATA summer season and 20 flights during the winter season to qualify for incentives. The government noted that some carriers may operate a large number of flights during one season but fewer or none during the other, making the existing requirements impractical in certain cases.
The amended regulations establish a minimum requirement of 40 flights during both the IATA summer and winter seasons. The changes also reflect amendments to the Law on State Duty that entered into force on May 6, 2026, allowing the incentive period to be extended twice for 24 months each, instead of a single 24-month extension.
Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Armen Simonyan said the incentive mechanism was introduced in 2019 through legislative amendments that exempted airlines operating new routes from paying the state duty, which amounts to 10,000 drams per passenger.
According to Simonyan, the policy has contributed to a significant expansion of Armenia’s air connectivity. He noted that the government launched a separate subsidy program for new routes in 2025, which is currently being utilized by two airlines.
“As a result, we recorded 7.5 percent growth in 2025 compared to 2024,” Simonyan said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the reforms implemented in the aviation sector had proven effective and contributed to the growth of tourism in Armenia.
“In the aviation sector, after overcoming various challenges and difficulties, we have finally reached a point where optimism prevails. The significant growth in tourism figures in Armenia is, of course, also linked to these decisions,” Pashinyan said.
The prime minister identified two major priorities for the sector. According to him, one of the most urgent issues facing Armenia is the expansion of Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport. The second priority is implementing reforms that will ensure compliance with international aviation standards and their continuous modernization.
Pashinyan also referred to plans to grant international status to Syunik Airport and stressed the importance of continuing development efforts at Shirak Airport in Gyumri.
