Economy Ministry Denies Wizz Air Will Be Expelled from Georgian Market

Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has rejected claims that the government plans to force Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air to leave the Georgian market.

The Ministry says such disinformation harms the business environment in Georgia, adding Wizz Air has been expanding its activities (here) annually and is successfully operating on the market.

The statement of the ministry reads that air movement between Georgia and the European Union is carried out under the Unified Airspace Agreement signed in 2010.

“Based on the conditions of this Agreement, procedures for admitting aviation companies to the markets of various countries have been simplified and are based on liberal principles which mean there are no restrictions on the number of airlines, flight frequencies, tariffs, aircraft types or destination points,” the statement reads.

The ministry explains that for Wizz Air, as with any other European airline, the flight schedule is approved in accordance with the terms of this agreement, adding the allegations about any kind of restrictions from the State are groundless.

The information that Georgia plans to make Wizz Air leave the market was spread by HUB Georgia, which reported on November 27 that the “government had been putting pressure on the company, a process suspended due to the presidential elections in the country.”

HUB Georgia Executive Director Vasil Urushadze said he was told by a source that the government plans to make certain changes to the aviation market, adding that in particular they intend to restrict competition in the field of passenger transportation.

“In fact, the Ministry of Economy has decided to expel airline Wizz Air from the Georgian market,” said Urushadze.

The information was also confirmed by member of the parliamentary minority European Georgia, Giorgi Kandelaki, who claimed PM Mamuka Bakhtadze is close to one of the other airline companies and the procedures of approving the winter schedule of Wizz Air flights are being “deliberately delayed.”

The opposition MP calls on the government not to make the wrong decision, to promote competition and to allow Wizz Air to continue its activities.

Wizz Air also rejected the rumors, stating they have no plans to leave the market, but to rather to expand their activities and services in Georgia.

Wizz Air has been carrying out flights from Kutaisi International Airport since 2012.

By Thea Morrison

Image source: Wizz Air