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Ankara: Van-Yerevan Flights To Commence Soon

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  • Ankara: Van-Yerevan Flights To Commence Soon

    VAN-YEREVAN FLIGHTS TO COMMENCE SOON

    Hurriyet
    Nov 28 2012
    Turkey

    Over two years of efforts by Van businessmen to start flights between
    their hometown and Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, have yielded
    results that may shift shuttle trade from Istanbul to the eastern
    province as well as boost local tourism revenues.

    Round-trip flights between the two cities will kick off in two weeks,
    Ayhan Fidan, a businessman and member of the Van Industry and Trade
    Chamber (VATSO), told the Daily News.

    VATSO has completed legal procedures regarding aviation regulations
    and a plane will be rented from the local Bora Jet firm. "The land
    border between Turkey and Armenia is closed, despite the fact that
    air entrances and exits are free. This is a clear contrast. We want
    the border gates to open," said Fidan.

    The Turkish border has been closed since 1993, when a war broke out
    between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, there are regular flights
    from Istanbul to Armenia twice a week in the winter and from the
    southern province of Antalya and western tourist resort of Bodrum in
    the summer. There are also regular bus services.

    "The land distance between Van and Yerevan is 230 kilometers. It is
    possible to cover this distance by car if the border was open. Now you
    have to fly this [short] distance. It will take 25 minutes for a plane
    to take off in Van and to land in Yerevan. The total trip will take one
    hour at the most. Isn't that a contradiction in itself?" said Fidan.

    A total of 30 tourism firms based in Van have created package tours
    that will support air travel between the two cities, he said. "We aim
    for 79 percent occupancy rates in the flights," Fidan said, adding
    that tickets prices would be 120 Turkish Liras. The shuttle trade in
    Istanbul may shift to Van as a result of the flights, thanks to its
    lower transportation costs, Fidan said.

    Van is a significant destination for Armenians both from Armenia and
    the Diaspora, due to the once-a-year church service at the Armenian
    Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Lake Van's Akdamar Island.

    Flights are very important for economic relations to improve as
    well as for entrepreneurs in Van, Bitlis and Kars, the Union of
    Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Armenia President Arsen Ghazaryan
    said, according to the news portal Panarmenian.net. The flights will
    receive substantial interest in Armenia and contribute to regional
    tourism, Ghazaryan said.

    November/28/2012

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