NovAir has relaunched flights between Yerevan and the town of Kapan in Syunik following a temporary suspension due to maintenance of its L-410 Turbolet, currently the only aircraft in its fleet.

Armenpress spoke with NovAir CEO Karen Vardanyan, who also serves as the director of Syunik Airport in Kapan.

Syunik Airport is currently designated as a domestic airport. Following a recently approved investment program, the airport could begin serving international flights. If implemented, Syunik Airport would become Armenia’s third international airport, after Yerevan’s Zvartnots and Gyumri’s Shirak airports.

Asked to comment on the process, Vardanyan said that work is ongoing but did not provide further details.

Speaking about his airline’s flights, Vardanyan emphasized that in September 2025, when the company’s only aircraft reached 10 years of operation, it was transferred to Brno, Czech Republic, under a technical maintenance program, where it underwent full servicing. After the work was completed, the aircraft returned to Armenia on March 24 this year, and flights resumed shortly thereafter.

“Since September 3, 2025, flights had been suspended solely for technical safety reasons,” Vardanyan said.

He emphasized that NovAir complies with all necessary standards and requirements. Flights are carried out according to the approved schedule, fully adhering to international safety and technical maintenance standards.

“The program has been gradually expanded due to growing demand. In 2023, it was launched with two flights per week, then increased to three, and since April 2024 it has been operating five days a week—Monday through Friday. The flight departs from Yerevan at 10:00, and the return flight from Kapan is at 12:00. Ticket pricing follows a social approach. Despite the significantly higher actual cost, the one-way ticket price has not changed and remains 20,000 drams.

“Thus, the Kapan–Yerevan flight program, having overcome the temporary suspension, continues to operate, with the aim of expanding opportunities in the near future,” Vardanyan stated.

Addressing whether NovAir plans to acquire a second aircraft to avoid suspending flights during maintenance periods, Vardanyan said:

“Financial constraints do not currently allow for large-scale expansion of the program. At present, the airline does not have the capacity to acquire a second aircraft, but this issue could be reconsidered if state subsidies are provided,” he noted.

Speaking about the possibility of launching new routes from Kapan Airport, particularly flights to Gyumri, Vardanyan said it would depend on demand:

“The launch of new destinations depends on demand. For example, the possibility of a Kapan–Gyumri flight can be considered if there is sufficient demand,” he said.

The issue of granting Syunik Airport international status has previously been discussed at a Cabinet meeting.

Asked to comment, Vardanyan did not elaborate but said that “steps are being taken” to designate Syunik Airport as an international airport.

Armenpress also requested comment from Sona Harutyunyan, press secretary of Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. She said the issue of granting Syunik Airport international status is on the government’s agenda, without further elaboration.