Armavia’s logo reflects the spirit of Armenian pride and international outreach. Although the airline no longer operates, its emblem remains a symbol of the connection between Armenia and the world. The colors of the emblem reflect the national flag, weaving a sense of homeland into long-distance travel.
Armavia: Brand overview
In the mid-1990s, after Armenia became independent from the Soviet Union, Mikhail Bagdasarov and his company, Mika Armenia Trading, decided to start a national airline. They named it Armavia and registered it on October 25, 1996, with a capital of 1 billion Armenian drams (about $2.5 million).
Over the next two years, they prepared to launch their maiden voyage. They added two Yak-40 turboprops and a Tu-134 jet, previously used by the Armenian aviation squadron, to their fleet and hired and trained 300 employees.
The first flight took off from Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan to Moscow on November 29, 1998. In its early years, the company mostly flew to cities within Russia and other former Soviet republics, such as St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, and Tbilisi.
By 2000, the company was ready to grow. They updated their fleet by leasing two modern Boeing 737-500s, which allowed them to start flying to European cities. Between 2002 and 2005, they switched to a fleet entirely made up of Boeing 737s and began flying to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Beirut, and Tehran.
From 2006 to 2011, the company expanded rapidly. They added more destinations, reaching 35 regular routes, and their fleet grew to 11 Boeing 737-800 planes.
Financial problems began in 2011. High fees at Zvartnots airport and the global financial crisis of the late 2000s hit the hard. They could not find investors or money to continue operations, so they stopped flying on April 1, 2013 and were officially closed after filing for bankruptcy.
For 17 years, managers such as Norayr Belluyan, Gevorg Khudaverdyan, and Vahan Hakhvanesyan led the company, with over 700 employees at its peak.
Meaning and History
What is Armavia?
Armavia is a well-known Armenian airline that operated from 1996 to 2013. Over the years, it gained the reputation of being the largest airline in Armenia. Founded in the mid-90s of the last century, the airline grew and expanded, carrying millions of passengers to various destinations. The airline was based at Zvartnots International Airport, located near Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The airline grew over the years, serving domestic and international routes until it ceased operations in 2013.
1996 – 2013
The Armavia logo conveys a deep connection between the brand, Armenian culture, and nature through its expressive design. At its center were two triangular snow-covered peaks, symbolizing Mount Ararat. Despite being located outside Armenia, Ararat remained an important part of the national identity. This image emphasized the uniqueness and significance of the place in the cultural context.
The peaks were enclosed in a bright yellow circle with a double border. The yellow color created a warm, optimistic impression, adding a sense of openness and reliability. The circular shape gave the composition completeness and harmony, hinting at the union of people and places, reflecting the company’s mission.
The company name was to the right of the graphic element, presented in both English and Armenian. This approach highlighted the airline’s international nature and its commitment to its roots. The English text was rendered in a large, sans-serif font in a rich blue color. This shade was associated with trust and stability, while the clean lines of the letters made the logo modern and easy to understand. The bold typeface added a sense of strength and confidence.
The Armenian text at the bottom was written in red with soft, rounded forms, conveying warmth and energy. The contrast between the English font’s straight lines and the Armenian letters’ flowing curves created an interesting visual balance, uniting modernity and respect for tradition.
The three colors—yellow, blue, and red—echoed the colors of the Armenian flag, strengthening the association with national identity. These colors harmoniously blended, forming a memorable and cohesive brand image.
Each element of the Armavia emblem reflected the company’s core values: respect for national roots, focus on the international market, and a desire to connect people and cultures.