The FINANCIAL — TBILISI. Georgia welcomes the re-launch of direct charter flights between Tbilisi and Moscow, the country's deputy foreign minister said on May 24, according to RIA Novosti.
Private airline Airzena Georgian Airways began charter flights between Tbilisi and Moscow earlier on May 24.
"We welcome the operation of such flights, since it is in the interests of our citizens," Nino Kalandadze said.
Direct Russian-Georgian flights were suspended in 2006 amid sour relations between the two countries. Air travel was restored for a short time in 2008, but halted after a military conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia.
"We cannot speak of regular flights yet because Georgia does not have diplomatic relations with Russia," Kalandadze said, adding that "the question of the restoration of regular flights should be solved at government level."
On May 19, Airzena said it had received permission from Russia to carry out direct charter flights between Moscow and Tbilisi until the beginning of November.
The airline is charging around $340 for a one-way ticket and $480 return.
The Russian Transport Ministry allowed Airzena to run nine charter flights between the two capitals in early January and April this year for Orthodox Christmas and Easter.
