Russian Media: Georgia Flights Will Resume in Early 2020

Speaking to Izvestia, a source in the Russian government says air flights between Russia and Georgia may be resumed in the first six months of 2020, noting that the ongoing political crisis in Georgia hinders the restoration by New Year.

"Speaking of air flights, a lot depends whether there is a healthy climate in our bilateral ties. So far, our Georgian partners cannot be proud of this given the news reports coming from there every day, but we are determined to move forward with this issue. But there should be an adequate moral and political climate and for now, it would be a mistake to say that it has been created," says Russian Senator Grigory Karasin, who is due to meet with the representatives of the Georgian ruling party on November 28.

Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia, confirmed to Izvestia that it was up to Russia to decide on resuming flights between the two countries, stressing that Georgia "would only welcome it."

Vladimir Putin ordered the temporary ban of passenger flights from Russia to Georgia following an outbreak of unrest in Tbilisi, triggered by the visit of a Russian lawmaker in June. The Russian government promised at the time to compensate airlines for their losses.

By Elene Dzebisashvili

Related story: Russian Airlines Lost over 3 Billion Rubles due to Ban on Flying to Georgia