Armenian Government allocates funds to reform civil aviation sector

The Armenian government has approved a decision to allocate AMD 321 million ($870,000) to support reforms of the country’s Civil Aviation Committee, aiming to improve operational quality and align the sector with international standards.

The initiative envisages restructuring the committee to address deficiencies identified by international organizations in 2024–2025. According to Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan, the reform will help the committee generate revenue and achieve greater institutional self-sufficiency.

An audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2024 gave Armenia a score of 52.18%, highlighting significant gaps in compliance with global aviation standards. A separate European Union assessment identified 58 shortcomings and 11 recommendations, particularly in regulation, oversight, and coordination in flight safety.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the reforms are long overdue and acknowledged existing knowledge gaps in adapting to modern aviation systems. He stressed the need to attract qualified international experts and introduce new management structures, including granting the Civil Aviation Committee a special status that would allow it to provide services and maintain its own budget.

Pashinyan noted that improved conditions and competitive salaries would help recruit high-level specialists, while reducing procedural barriers that have hindered reform efforts so far. He added that the government plans to cooperate with ICAO to determine the most effective governance model, with the process expected to take about a year.

Highlighting sector growth, the Prime Minister said passenger traffic between Armenia and the European Union has increased by 580% since 2017. Authorities aim to further expand air connectivity, including new routes to Europe and other destinations, as part of broader efforts to position Armenia as a regional aviation hub.