As part of the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, direct commercial flights between the two countries have started again. Fly One Airlines plane, which took off from Yerevan Zvartnots Airport with 64 passengers, landed at Istanbul Airport in the evening. Passengers were greeted with flowers and chocolates.
Making a statement to the press at the terminal after the first plane arrived in Istanbul, FlyOne Armenia Chief Executive Officer Aram Ananyan said, “Our plane has just successfully conducted its first flight on the Yerevan-Istanbul route. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our passengers for the trust they have shown and to our colleagues for such a warm welcome. I would also like to thank the civil aviation administrations of the two countries. Using this opportunity, I would also like to greet Pegasus. They will also make the Istanbul-Yerevan flight in a few hours,” he said.
Gayane Bulghadaryan, one of the passengers who came to Istanbul on the first flight, said, “I would like to thank those who contributed. I was coming to Istanbul with great difficulty. Once I had to commute via France. I want peace, what happened in the past stay in the past. New generations should not grow up with them. I want beauty and I always pray. This place is like a homeland for me,” she said.
As of today, direct flights starting on the Istanbul-Yerevan route will be operated by Pegasus and Fly One Airlines 3 times a week. Fly One Airlines will operate from Istanbul Airport, and Pegasus Airlines from Sabiha Gökçen Airport.