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KARABAKH SAYS WILL OPEN ITS AIRPORT SOON
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
12.04.12 | 11:37
Authorities in Karabakh have again promised that the unrecognized
republic's only airport will soon open for civilian flights despite
threats by Azerbaijan to shoot aircraft down.
Karabakh Defense Army Chief Movses Hakobyan told a group of Armenian
journalists visiting Stepanakert on Wednesday that all measures would
be taken to ensure the safety of such flights.
"There is no concern. Our airport will be put into operation. It
is equipped according to modern standards and there is no problem
connected with security," he said.
The airport near the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert has been closed
since 1992 when hostilities began in the area. Its reconstruction was
launched in 2009 and originally it was expected to go into operation
in 2010. But the opening of the airport was delayed several times
because the news of imminent flights from and to Karabakh elicited a
hostile reaction in Azerbaijan that does not recognize the sovereignty
of the authorities in Karabakh. Some officials in Baku went as far
as threatening to bring down the civilian planes flying into or out
of Karabakh.
Now the Karabakh defense chief voiced his certitude that the Azeri
military would abstain from making such a step that would amount to
violating international commitments.
"We will not cross into Azerbaijan's airspace, but if Azerbaijan
attempts a provocation, then our air defense forces are capable of
neutralizing potential missiles. Besides, during the day our air
defense forces follow as many as 260 Azeri aircraft and we, too, can
shoot their planes down," said Hakobyan, adding that the aircraft to
operate flights from and to Stepanakert has already been purchased
and its personnel is being trained.
The airport in Karabakh is designed for civilian flights, mostly to
connect Stepanakert with Armenian capital Yerevan.
Stepanakert-Yerevan flights will be carried out by a newly established
airline, Artsakhavia, that will operate a SRJ-200 aircraft seating
50 passengers for the purpose. A typical flight from Stepanakert to
Yerevan is expected to last around 35 minutes (now a journey by car
via Lachin takes about five hours).
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
12.04.12 | 11:37
Authorities in Karabakh have again promised that the unrecognized
republic's only airport will soon open for civilian flights despite
threats by Azerbaijan to shoot aircraft down.
Karabakh Defense Army Chief Movses Hakobyan told a group of Armenian
journalists visiting Stepanakert on Wednesday that all measures would
be taken to ensure the safety of such flights.
"There is no concern. Our airport will be put into operation. It
is equipped according to modern standards and there is no problem
connected with security," he said.
The airport near the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert has been closed
since 1992 when hostilities began in the area. Its reconstruction was
launched in 2009 and originally it was expected to go into operation
in 2010. But the opening of the airport was delayed several times
because the news of imminent flights from and to Karabakh elicited a
hostile reaction in Azerbaijan that does not recognize the sovereignty
of the authorities in Karabakh. Some officials in Baku went as far
as threatening to bring down the civilian planes flying into or out
of Karabakh.
Now the Karabakh defense chief voiced his certitude that the Azeri
military would abstain from making such a step that would amount to
violating international commitments.
"We will not cross into Azerbaijan's airspace, but if Azerbaijan
attempts a provocation, then our air defense forces are capable of
neutralizing potential missiles. Besides, during the day our air
defense forces follow as many as 260 Azeri aircraft and we, too, can
shoot their planes down," said Hakobyan, adding that the aircraft to
operate flights from and to Stepanakert has already been purchased
and its personnel is being trained.
The airport in Karabakh is designed for civilian flights, mostly to
connect Stepanakert with Armenian capital Yerevan.
Stepanakert-Yerevan flights will be carried out by a newly established
airline, Artsakhavia, that will operate a SRJ-200 aircraft seating
50 passengers for the purpose. A typical flight from Stepanakert to
Yerevan is expected to last around 35 minutes (now a journey by car
via Lachin takes about five hours).