ANKARA: Armenia asks Turkey to allow flights between Antalya, Yerevan

The New Anatolian / Ankara
7 April 2005

Amid increasing tension between Turkey and Armenia due to continued
efforts by Armenians to urge world recognition of the so-called
Armenian genocide claims, Armenia yesterday asked Ankara to allow
flights between Antalya and the capital Yerevan.

Private Armenian airline Armavia currently has flights between
Yerevan and Istanbul twice a week, and asked permission to add a
Yerevan-Antalya route.

Antalya is the nearest vacation destination for Armenians, and those
who choose to come to Turkey on holiday can stay in Turkey for up to
one month by paying only $10 at the point of entry to the country. The
number of visiting Armenians is now 20,000 during the winter, reaching
50,000 during the summer.

Foreign Ministry examines request

The Foreign Ministry is considering the Armenian request to begin
flights between Antalya and Yerevan. If approved, the flights will
begin this year.

Turkey also permits Armenian planes to use Turkish airspace.