Yerevan /Mediamax/. U.S. Ambassador John Heffern said that "as a land locked country with closed borders Armenia needs to do everything in its power to improve the ability of people and goods to enter and exit the country”.

U.S. Ambassador John Heffern stated it commenting on Mediamax’s question about the U.S. position regarding the “Open skies” policy, which implies full liberalization of the Armenian aviation sector.

“Open skies policy is important for Armenia’s economic development.  Open skies means more airlines, more flights, more tourists, and more business people coming to Armenia. If it’s difficult or expensive for travelers or business people to get here, they won’t come”, stated the U.S. Ambassador. 

He said that Armenian government’s strategic decision in liberalizing the aviation sector has already yielded important results.

John Heffern noted that 13 new airlines started flying in and out of Yerevan since the policy was declared and passenger traffic is up by almost 25 percent on average.

“Flights are operated on some routes more than others, but there is still an overall decrease in prices”, said the Ambassador.

He also added that the U.S. Embassy through USAID continues to provide support to the Armenian government in its efforts to implement the open skies policy. The specific type of support depends on the immediate needs of the government, Ambassador noted.