“Direct Flights Between Russia and Georgia Resume Despite Tensions”

For the first time since 2019, it is again possible to book a direct flight between Russia and Georgia. Despite tensions with Moscow and criticism from the West, the government of Georgia gave the go-ahead.

The Russian airline Azimuth Airlines has been granted a license by Georgia for a daily connection between Moscow and Tbilisi. According to the airline’s booking system, the first flight would be operated on Friday.

Georgia does not participate in Western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The West has threatened to impose sanctions on Tbilisi if punitive Russian airlines are allowed to land.

Direct flights between Russia and Georgia were suspended by Moscow in 2019 due to tensions between the two countries. They fought another war in 2008, in which Georgia lost control of about a fifth of its territory: Moscow recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and has stationed military there.

Pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has repeatedly warned that Russia wants to increase its influence in her country, says resuming direct flights is “unacceptable as long as Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine and occupies our territory.” Her government sees things differently. Georgia, which is known for its coasts, viticulture and mountains, is also heavily dependent on Russian tourists despite the tensions. (Belgian)