Mihran Khachatryan has left his post as chair of Armenia’s Civil Aviation Committee, while saying he does not intend to leave the aviation sector.
Khachatryan summarized in a message the work carried out in recent years and reforms implemented in the civil aviation sector.
“Following an assessment visit conducted by the EU in 2020, it was found that Armenia’s state civil aviation oversight system, as well as the structure of the aviation authority, did not meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Committee had employees, but in several key areas there were not enough appropriately qualified specialists, while in some areas the necessary functions had not yet been fully established. Therefore, the main challenge during these years was not to eliminate individual shortcomings, but to build an effective, sustainable and institutional system. To that end:
- two new divisions were created, with an entirely new function established in one of them,
- the remuneration system for Committee inspectors was reviewed and changed, laying the groundwork for a competency-based remuneration system for specialists,
- more than 30 new policies and procedures were developed from scratch, approved and implemented,
- a competency-based training plan was introduced, under which the necessary training was organized for Committee specialists,
- the oversight process became more systematic, documented and traceable,
- an internal quality management system was established and is now in the final stage of development,
- a draft law on amendments and additions to the Law on Aviation was developed, proposing the necessary legal framework for the operation and oversight of general aviation, including unmanned aircraft systems and VTOL-type aircraft,
- cooperation with the European Union was expanded through various programs and initiatives, including the Eastern Partnership, Twinning and the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as well as with the aviation authorities of several European countries, particularly Romania, France, Croatia, Slovakia and Lithuania,
- important steps were taken to develop the Committee’s internal capabilities. Instructors were trained from among Committee employees, making it possible to organize and conduct a number of training programs and courses using the Committee’s own professional resources and ensuring continuity in the transfer of knowledge and experience.
“In implementing this work, we highly value the effective cooperation established with ICAO/EUR/NAT, DG MOVE/EASA, as well as other international aviation bodies and aviation authorities of several European countries. I would especially like to thank the Delegation of the European Union and Ambassador Vassilis Maragos for their consistent support and cooperation aimed at developing Armenia’s civil aviation.
“Today, the Committee has a structure that meets international requirements, established professional capacity, as well as management, quality assurance and oversight systems based on international standards and requirements. The results of this work have been confirmed both by the progress recorded during ICAO’s 2024 audit and by the results of the EU assessment visit conducted in 2025.
“Of course, much remains to be done. However, this work will now continue on the basis of an established system, accumulated experience and new professional capacity. One of the most important achievements is that a new generation of specialists has emerged within the Committee, which will make it possible to respond more quickly and effectively to rapidly developing trends and new challenges in aviation.
“At the same time, the process of generational renewal and continuous development of professional capacity still requires consistent work to ensure the stability and continuity of the established system. These results are not the product of one day’s work or one person. They are the result of consistent and joint efforts by the entire Committee team and our international partners,” the message said.
Khachatryan noted that the development of Armenia’s civil aviation has been and remains an important professional mission for him, adding that he is ready to continue contributing his experience and knowledge to its further development.
