Tourism from above: Helicopters become part of a new service in Armenia

Light aviation is one of those sectors that has long remained on the periphery of attention in Armenia, even though its potential is far greater than is commonly assumed. During the Soviet period, this field developed quite actively, but after the 1990s it effectively fell into stagnation and was largely lost as a structured industry. Today, interest in light aviation is returning—both as a tool that can function not only within transport logistics, but also as a driver of tourism, regional connectivity, and related economic sectors.

Arsen Manukyan, director of Armenia Helicopter, spoke about the current state of the industry and its prospects on the Economix program.

Demand for Services Is Steadily Growing

According to Arsen Manukyan, demand for light aviation services in Armenia has already taken shape and is showing steady growth. He notes that such services are becoming a natural part of any modern economy, with the key factors being market size and the overall level of economic development in the country.

“If we look back from 2018 to today, it’s clear that development has been moving upward: demand is growing, the number of orders is increasing, and both the structure of clients and the nature of requests are changing,” says Manukyan. According to him, alongside the growth of tourism, the need for aviation services is also increasing, and the company aims to respond with a flexible range of offerings.

Even Flights Over Yerevan Enjoy Steady Interest

A separate area of activity is helicopter tourism. The company operates aircraft of two types. One of them is the American Robinson R66. Manukyan emphasizes that this model has become something of a “revolution” in the light aviation market, simplifying operation and maintenance while also making helicopters more accessible for private use.

According to him, the R66 is a turbine-powered helicopter well adapted to Armenia’s geographical conditions, including its high-altitude terrain. It is primarily used for short-term tourist flights—so-called sightseeing tours—along pre-designed routes to the country’s main landmarks.

“Tourists visit Yerevan, Garni, Geghard, Saghmosavank, Khor Virap, Tatev, and other locations, but the opportunity to see these places from the air offers a completely different level of experience. Emotionally, it’s a different kind of impression—the very perception changes,” he notes, adding that even flights over Yerevan attract consistent interest.

Transformer Helicopters

The second type of aircraft in the fleet consists of Airbus helicopters, particularly the H125 model, which is considered one of the most widely used in the world. Manukyan explains this by its versatility: such helicopters are suitable for a wide range of tasks—from tourist transportation to medical aviation and agricultural work.

“Our approach when acquiring equipment was to ensure maximum functionality from the very beginning. The H125 allows for rapid reconfiguration: in about 30 minutes, the helicopter can be transformed from a passenger configuration into a medical one—with the installation of stretchers and equipment,” he says.

In addition, these helicopters are used for rescue operations and cargo transport.