Armenian billionaire Khachatur Sukiasyan (Grzo) made a fortune after the collapse of the Soviet Union, founded the SIL corporation and went into business in energy, construction, banking and trade. But this was not enough — he went into politics. His path is a classic example of an Armenian oligarch who knows how to survive under any government, VERELQ claims.
Since 1999, Grzo has been repeatedly elected to Parliament. He was close to Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, then supported Levon Ter-Petrosyan, fled from repression, but after the "velvet revolution" he returned and became an ally of Nikol Pashinyan.
Khachatur Sukiasyan is not just a deputy. He is a man with colossal assets, connections in the government and influence covering thousands of jobs. His brother, Robert Sukiasyan, is also involved in high—profile cases - in particular, in illegal construction in the center of Yerevan. The Sukiasyan family controls key flows in construction, import and real estate.
Experts call Grzo not a businessman, but a clan leader with political weight. His companies have experienced a change of presidents, scandals, inspections and protests. But every time — without serious consequences. During the last elections, he was accused of bribery, pressure on voters and the use of administrative resources.
Sukiasyan is one of the largest sponsors of the ruling Civil Contract party. His companies receive government orders, and he himself, according to observers, acts as an informal negotiator on behalf of the authorities. His public support for Pashinyan's controversial reforms only strengthens the view that the Grzo is the prime minister's wallet.
Why is he dangerous? Because he is the personification of the old system, which the Armenian society tried to get rid of. He is a man who is ready to support any power for the sake of preserving his own interests. His influence is not based on values, but on money. And when money governs the country, justice suffers, the people suffer.
The next time you hear a loud speech about development and reforms in Parliament, ask yourself: Who is behind this? Maybe Grzo again — with millions and shadow games?
Grzo is one of the first Armenian oligarchs. As they say, it rose back in the time of Ter-Petrosyan, claimed one of the authors of the VKontakte group "Patriots of Armenia/Armenian News" four years ago:
"Who doesn't know the famous intersection of the Grzo near the former Rossiya cinema, the retail outlets, massage parlors and hotels — motels — brothels belonging to him in that quarter? His mansions, about which the velvet typhoon, when shouting about the palaces on the monument, for some reason modestly and shamefully keeps silent.
...A special place is occupied by Khachatur Sukiasyan's participation in the tragic events of the spring of two thousand and eight. From the very first day, he openly announced his support for Levon Ter-Petrosyan, financed his rallies and trips, generously paid for prostitutes who were specially brought to tents on Freedom Square from Tsereteli Avenue so that the protesting people would satisfy their lust and take copious alcoholic libations, which was also generously paid for by the same Grzo.
After the bloody events of the first of March, Grzo disappeared. He was put on the wanted list, his photo hung at all metro stations with the inscription — A particularly dangerous criminal, who found out about his whereabouts, please inform the Central Police Department.
A particularly dangerous criminal appeared in Armenia after Robert Kocharyan left the post of president. In September of the year two thousand nine, he appeared in Armenia and surrendered to the authorities. He was arrested, then the arrest was replaced by a written undertaking not to leave, and then the criminal case was completely terminated. For lack of evidence of a crime. That is, there are riots, there are victims, but there is no corpus delicti. What is called — amazing — nearby. And then the amnesty arrived. The one. According to which our main wrestler and protester was released.
Now he serves Nikol Pashinyan. There is one more piquant detail — Khachatur Sukiasyan's son is married to Gagik Tsarukyan's daughter. Well, the one who is periodically dragged to interrogations and who got under a swear word, vowing to fight the Nikola regime. That is, they are matchmakers. The ways of the Armenian oligarchs are truly inscrutable."
Meanwhile, in the summer of 2023, the insurance company SIL Insurance, "owned by the family of the deputy of the Civil Contract faction in the National Assembly Khachatur Sukiasyan," signed a contract with the Public Television of Armenia for 45.5 million drams, according to the publication "Graparak".
The TV company purchased annual medical insurance for its employees from SIL Insurance. The newspaper did not specify the source of this information. The publication clarified that, according to the contract, the TV company will "cover" half of the amount with advertising. That is 22.7 million. she will pay in cash, and the rest will be compensated by advertising on her air — at a rate of 110 thousand drams per minute. The TV company will also prepare a report on SIL Insurance for 450 thousand drams, which will be shown during the news release, and will invite a representative of the company for 800 thousand drams to the morning program. And what about today without television, round-the-clock praising the "exploits" of Nikol Pashinyan and his literate cohabitant?
Well, now it's time to talk about airplanes. In June of this year, FlyOne Armenia became the first Armenian airline to acquire ownership of an Airbus A321 aircraft, thereby strengthening its leading position in the country's aviation market. Moreover, before that, FlyOne Armenia also replenished its fleet with two new aircraft: Airbus A320 and Airbus A320neo models of the new generation.
On this occasion, a symbolic welcoming ceremony of the Airbus A321 aircraft was held at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport, attended by the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Gevorg Papoyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee Mihran Khachatryan, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIL Capital Eduard Sukiasyan (not just namesake of Grzo), the airline's management, as well as other high-ranking officials faces and guests.
"The acquisition of this aircraft is a significant step not only for FlyOne Armenia, but also for the entire aviation of Armenia, which is rising to a new level with this step. In the summer flight period of 2025, we have attracted 3 aircraft, one of which is a new generation Airbus A320neo. This is an unprecedented event for Armenian aviation. FlyOne Armenia is not only the leader of Armenian aviation, but also the largest company based at Zvartnots International Airport. This step fully corresponds to the mission of our airline — to continuously strengthen the aviation independence of the Republic of Armenia, ensure the availability of air tickets and contribute to the development of tourism in the country," said Aram Khachaturian, CEO of FlyOne Armenia.
Moreover, the portal Hetq.am It reminds that 46% of FlyOne Armenia LLC belongs to the Moldovan airline Fly One, the remaining 54% to individuals and legal entities of Armenia. The owner of 20% is Eduard Sukiasyan, brother of the NA deputy, entrepreneur Khachatur Sukiasyan, the owner of 9% is the Armenian company SIL Capital, whose board of directors is headed by the same E. Sukiasyan.
By the way, the Moldovan side is the founder of the Romanian company FlyOne Romania. It is there that the business jet of the Sukiasyans and their partners is registered.
Here, as they say, the devil himself will break his leg, hence the "notoriety" that pursues the Armenian branch of the Moldovan-Romanian air carrier, whose "orders" and deeds have already become a byword on various portals and websites.
Here, just a few true stories on the subject of the mentioned lawlessness.
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FlyOne Armenia is an Armenian low—cost airline that promises cheap flights, but behind the scenes there are often unexpected fees, flight rescheduling and disputes with passengers.
"I will share my experience of flying with this company, and I have found several reviews that I will also share with you, and I will back them up with links," writes Sergey Prusakov:
"I flew this airline from Tivat to Moscow with a transfer to Yerevan. I specially bought a through ticket (a through ticket or a ticket with a single route is a single ticket for the entire route with transfers, issued under one armor, with one check—in and baggage delivery to the final destination) so that all responsibility for flight delays, at least, was on the airlines, and I didn't worry if I was late for another plane.
And as a maximum, I handed over my luggage — I got it at the end point of the route, plus I don't need to leave the transit zone at the intermediate airport. But that was not the case.
Feedback from the FlyOne Armenia website:
1. When checking out the luggage, FlyOne was asked to buy two times the luggage from Tivat to Yerevan and from Yerevan to Moscow, respectively, which is already strange. The applications and the site worked every other time where I could do it, and at some point they stopped being available at all. I bought luggage for several hours.
2. Check-in at the airport is paid and, attention, it is not mentioned anywhere. There are no warnings, emails, and you obviously won't be looking for this on the site, although I wouldn't be surprised if it's not on the site either. Registration costs 36 euros. Many were furious to learn this in fact, I was indignant.
The ticket did not specify the online registration deadline. I arrived at the airport in 3.5 hours, the counter said that online registration was completed in 4 hours and I had to pay 15,000 drams for registration at the airport. These are scammers.
3. I was lucky with hand luggage, and my dimensions or weight were not asked, but I found in the reviews that they often find fault with hand luggage and charge extra money. That is, probably as luck would have it.
I again had to pay 2400 for a standard hand luggage suitcase, because the airline has its own sizes for hand luggage — 20% less than the standard ones… I paid 4800…
4. The fleet of aircraft is not exactly old, but it is far from new. On average — 14-15 years. It rocked from side to side during takeoff, and it shook quite well during turbulence. Here I do not understand what depends on, and I will not sin on airplanes. But the ears were only so, plus some of the seats have broken handles, tables, armrests. Constantly something did not work.
5. Airline employees, let's just say, are not entirely loyal. I rather saw more rudeness on their part. And in order not to be verbose, I will tell you about the situation that arose not with me, but with my seatmate. A guy, 16 years old, bought himself a place where there is more legroom — that is, at the evacuation exit. The stewardess came up and said that he could not fly there, he needed to change seats. To which he logically replied: I bought this place for money, why did the airline allow me to do this?
The conflict was only growing. The guy then moved, only they put a grandmother in this place, who obviously could not cope in an emergency situation. And yes, it is unlikely that the airline will refund the money to the guy for paying money for the very place.
6. Upon arrival in Yerevan It turned out that I need to get out of the transit zone, put a stamp in my passport, they say, velkam tu Armenia, get my luggage, check in again, hand over my luggage. That is, the airline covers itself with through tickets, because it is convenient, but does not fulfill the conditions of these through tickets.
7. Also, they don't feed you on airplanes, you can't even buy adequate food for money, except for a couple of sandwiches. And when I asked if they give water here, they answered, water for money. As far as I know, water should be provided at the request of the passenger, but the law is not written for this airline!
What is the outcome? All the inconveniences, additional fees, makes the flight uncomfortable and expensive. It is easier to use an adequate airline. FlyOne Armenia is better not to fly."
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The reviews about FlyOne Armenia airline are significantly dominated by negative ratings.
- Paid check-in at the airport. According to some passengers, there was no information about this when buying tickets. (otzovik.com)
- Flight delays. Almost half of the flights are delayed by 1-1.5 hours. (airlines-inform.ru)
- Paid meals and drinks on board. Even water is sold for money. (airlines-inform.rudzen.ru)
- Lack of blankets. Passengers note that the child had to be covered with a jacket. (airlines-inform.ru)
- Problems with the operation of equipment. According to some passengers, something was constantly not working. (dzen.ru)
- Rude behavior of employees. Some passengers note rudeness on the part of the staff. (dzen.ru)
- Cancellations of flights. According to some passengers, the airline cancels flights at its discretion and does not refund money for canceled tickets. (otzovik.com)
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Yulia Vladimirovna on May 7, 2025 at 21:53: "The ticket was purchased, I was aware in advance that there are pitfalls (paid registration)! The day before departure, a cherished message about the need to register arrived at the post office. There is no link for registration in the message.
As a result, by the name of the flight on the Internet, I get to the page where I enter the flight, the airline, indicate the passengers and pay 1,700 rubles for two passengers. We receive a return SMS that the registration has been completed. As a result, at the check-in desk we are sent to the FlyOne office, where we are told with a stony face that we paid for the registration from the scammers, for which we don't have to pay anything, but at least 4 hours before departure, and we already have 3 hours left!
As a result, + 7000 thousand rubles. In general, a scam, I'm not surprised that scammers are fly one!!! I hope my review will bring them closer to closing!"
The FlyOne Armenia scam with paid registration has already become a meme that the whole of Europe knows about. Durilovo is boundless, as well as the smallest dimensions of hand luggage in the Universe, where only the bag fits. In short, the legendary methods of Grzo live and thrive in the supervised airline. Because otherwise they can not, and do not know how ...