YEREVAN. – Russian air companies have a monopoly on some routes and increase ticket prices using an opportunity of the closed Upper Lars checkpoint, former head of Armenia’s civil aviation department said.

The ticket prices for flights from Armenia to Russia have sharply risen due to the closure of the Upper Lars checkpoint at the Georgia-Russia border.

The Russian companies agree to increase prices simultaneously, Shahen Petrosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am, calling this “a crime and a sabotage against its partner”.

The reason for this is an open sky policy and lack of national air carrier, he believes.

“Our government has to display will and do everything to have a national carrier to bring competition,” former aviation official added.

The ticket price for a flight to Moscow has doubled and is sold for 120,000 drams (around $250).