YEREVAN. – As a result of the past six-month activities, Armavia Airline Company owes €5.3 million to “Armenia” International Airports (AIA) Company, which operates capital Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport, AIA Executive Director Marcello Vende stated during a press conference on Thursday.   

In his words, AIA had gone to a concession with Armavia and accepted the latter’s request to reduce the passenger service fee. And as of February 1, this fee was set at €20.

According to Vende, AIA had agreed to this concession in anticipation of receiving the debt that needs to be repaid between March 31 and September 1. But he announced that if Armavia does not make its first payment and duly pay for the current services on March 31, their agreement will be declared null and void.

“This is the world’s first case when the airline company is complaining against the airport. Everywhere the airport’s service cost comprises a small portion in the expenditures of an airline company,” the Argentinean manager said.           

To note, Armenian General Department of Civil Aviation Press Secretary Nelly Cherchinyan on Tuesday stated that Armavia and AIA were able to reach an agreement. But on Thursday AIA released a statement informing that following the four-day negotiations, Armavia withdrew from the talks.