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The Role Of Aviation Is Much Greater Than The 'Issue Of Prestige'

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  • The Role Of Aviation Is Much Greater Than The 'Issue Of Prestige'

    THE ROLE OF AVIATION IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE 'ISSUE OF PRESTIGE'
    Norayr Hovsepian

    http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=479:t he-role-of-aviation-is-much-greater-than-the-issue-of-prestige&catid=1:all&Itemid=1
    Monday, 28 November 2011 05:39

    On November 1, it was two years of Dmitry Adbashian's stay in Artsakh.

    We think it isn't a small period, especially that you came in the
    second Armenian state with a specific mission and there was no spare
    time all this period. And the mission is very important - Artsakh
    should have its civil aviation. What has been done in this direction
    and what is to be done yet? Following is our interview on these and
    some other issues with Chief Civil Aviation Department under the NKR
    Government Dmitry Adbashian:

    - Mr. Adbashian, you came here with a specific mission. Are you
    satisfied with the realized works?

    - I'll try to bring some facts, but I'd not like to give any
    self-evaluation. The works were conducted in a few directions. First,
    they are the works conducted at the Stepanakert airport, which are
    visible for many people. Two years ago, the basic building was just a
    little higher than its foundation. Today, the basic and the adjoining
    buildings are completed. This can be seen by those passing near the
    airport. The quality of the works was always strictly controlled, and
    we are not disappointed with it. Lately, much work was conducted on
    the runway. We have widened and strengthened it. But, this is not all.

    >From the very beginning, the runway's position was so that its both
    sides were covered with hills, which didn't allow comparatively big
    aircrafts to make a landing or takeoff, or, at least, they made it
    risky. We'd not like to go deep into the issue and search the reasons
    in Baku. I'd merely note a fact - changing the direction of the runway
    just by a few degree, this inconvenience could be easily avoided. And
    if we don't do this, many people will not merely understand us.

    Anyway, we have what we have. To change the direction of the runway,
    or, to build a new one was inexpedient. And we decided to free the
    required space, at least, in one direction. To date, these works are
    completed. The tops of the hampering hills were cut. As a result,
    the Stepanakert airport can receive all the kinds of airbuses smaller
    than Airbus-320. And for the 50-seat CRJ-200, which will be put into
    operation here, the conditions are quite favorable.

    - What can you say about the equipment? Are the works on the airport's
    technical equipment underway?

    - These works are completed. In the basic building, all the needed
    equipment is installed for receiving, sending, and accompanying the
    planes in accordance with the required standards. A few days ago,
    we turned on for the first time and tried the lighting system of
    the airport. Our expectations were justified. We started making
    experimental flights on training aircrafts, checking in practice the
    safety of the installed equipment.

    - Do you have corresponding specialists for ensuring an efficient job?

    - Initially, the flights will be made by invited specialists. I
    mean pilots. Much time is needed for their training. We have held
    corresponding re-training on other professions. Also, we have equipped
    the educational center - the specialists' training and retraining will
    have a systematic character. Surely, it is preferable that the entire
    personnel comprise local specialists. I hope we'll achieve this goal
    in the future. Moreover, our students will have the chance to study
    also abroad, in particular, in Russia. We have visited the Artsakh
    State University with corresponding proposals.

    - Can you briefly introduce the situation in the legal field?

    - The issue is half resolved. The civil aviation sphere is already
    regulated by the law. But, we haven't got yet the Air Code of the
    Republic of Artsakh. Another missing is that our basic documents are in
    the Armenian language. This is justified as of the domestic-circulation
    documents. But, if we plan flights not only to Armenia and are ready
    to receive aircrafts coming not only from Yerevan, so we should have
    foreign-language documents, at least, in Russian. This is one of the
    unresolved issues.

    - And are there many unresolved issues?

    - Maybe, it will seem ridiculous. But, though we cut the hills,
    the issue of the landfill near the airport is still unresolved. This
    represents a possible danger for us, both due to the inevitable smog
    and big flocks of birds there.

    - Among the unresolved issues, you didn't note the possible
    difficulties related to ICAO's (International Civil Aviation
    Organization) giving permission for making flights from and to
    Stepanakert. You didn't either note the threats permanently sounded
    from Baku.

    - As of Baku's threats, surely, considering the modern technical
    abilities, an aircraft flying from or to Stepanakert can be shelled
    from Azerbaijan. But, despite everything, nobody can be unpunished
    in shelling a civil aircraft. And this is realized in Baku. If you
    have noticed, this issue has been recently avoided even in Azerbaijan.

    As of the ICAO, the approaches here are contradicting. On the one
    hand, the operation of the Stepanakert airport will give the Artsakh
    people the chance to realize their inalienable right to freedom of
    movement. This is a common right for all the people, regardless of
    their belonging to any state - recognized or unrecognized. Nobody
    argues with us on this issue. But, for making flights, inter-state
    agreements are needed. Anyway, these issues can be also resolved. I'd
    like to note that without violating the international law, we'll make
    flights on the same principle, on which some aviation companies make
    flights from North Cyprus to different countries. Curiously enough, in
    this issue, we'll be comprehended best of all by our basic opponents -
    Azerbaijan and Turkey.

    - To speak half seriously and half jokingly, some taxi drivers and taxi
    services in Artsakh suppose that when the airport starts operating,
    their incomes will decrease.

    - I'll answer this question seriously. The availability of similar
    viewpoints means that the role and significance of the civil aviation
    for Artsakh isn't fully realized yet by everybody. If you ask anybody
    in the street why we need the civil aviation, probably, you will hear
    in response: "We are not worse than others", "This is an issue of
    prestige", etc. Surely, it is good that the people have high patriotic
    spirit. But, the role of aviation is much greater than just the "issue
    of prestige". This will allow us to be closer to the world. We'll
    have new and incomparably greater possibilities for the development
    of tourism and export of goods - not to Armenia, but to foreign states.

    First, we'll have airliners, but in the future, the issue of cargo
    aircrafts will be also on the agenda. This will be economically
    profitable.

    And as of the taxi drivers' concern, aviation was never considered an
    alternative to taxi in any country in the world. Surely, this will
    not take place in our case either. On the contrary, the airport's
    operation will provide an additional job just for taxi drivers.

    - In conclusion, I'd like to ask about the prices, which, I'm sure,
    is an issue of concern for many people. When will the Stepanakert
    airport start operating and what will the price policy be?

    - The airport will start operating when it is fully ready. We have
    no right to any mistake and we must get ready for this will full
    responsibility. Some works are still underway. I can only say that
    no news is expected in 2011 in this regard.

    As of the prices, they will also depend on the prices for the services
    at the receiving airports. Negotiations are still underway. Probably,
    the price for a one-way ticket will be about 16000-18000 AMD.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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