Gyumri’s airport now offers two flights per week to European destinations. The first flight took off on September 30, heading to Larnaca in Cyprus. The trip takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes with tickets starting at just 18 dollars.

Before this, flights from Gyumri only went to Russia. But in April, the Armenian government launched a support program for airlines based in the country.

To qualify, airlines must have at least two planes permanently stationed in Armenia, employ staff locally and launch at least one new route from Shirak airport.

Hungary’s Wizz Air jumped in first. The low-cost carrier now operates from Gyumri and officially established a base in Armenia on October first.

Gyumri’s Shirak airport has been operating since 1961. Renovated in 2007 and again in 2021, it is now ready to welcome more passengers than ever.