Aircraft and companies falling under the sanctions would not be allowed in Georgia. Such a statement made today Georgian Economy Minister.

“Russia unilaterally suspended flights in 2019 and also unilaterally resumed flights with the new decision. We already received requests at the end of last week from several airlines, including Georgian companies. We had quite intensive work with experts to study what kind of practice exists in other countries who operate direct flights with Russia on the backdrop of the sanctions.

The European Union has the so-called blacklist of sanctioned companies. Flight safety is important to us, and our decisions must be in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements. Therefore, planes that don’t have access to technical information, qualified repair and service can’t fly in the airspace of Georgia.

There is no unequivocal opinion in the Georgian public on the resumption of direct flights to Russia.

There are different opinions. Anxiety of certain groups is understandable, but a large part of the population may benefit from direct flights. This has a social significance, because ethnic Georgians, citizens of Georgia living in Russia could not enjoy direct traffic during the ban on flights. This will improve their social situation”, - said the Minister.