After the reinstatement of direct air travel between Georgia and Russia, the first flight from Moscow's Vnukovo airport took off, headed to Tbilisi. According to the propaganda channel “Ria Novosti”, the Georgian Delegation is also on board the Azimuth flight.
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The Moscow-Tbilisi flight is carrying the pro-Russian politician, chairman of the People's Movement of Socialist Georgia - Valeri Kvaratskhelia, former parliamentarian and the director of the Georgian-Russian Public Center - Dimitri Lortkipanidze, and the chairman of the Solidarity for Peace organization - Merab Chikashvili.
“On my behalf, on behalf of my organization, and on behalf of a large portion of Georgian citizens, I would like to thank the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for issuing this decree and meeting our request. Most importantly this was people's request, and we understand full well the importance of this signing,” says Chikashvili.
“On May 19, at 1:50 p.m., a historic plane will land at Tbilisi Airport, designated as flight A 4851. Together with our dear compatriots, the members of the delegation, whose hard-diplomatic work has paid off, will also take this first flight. They will fly happily ever after without a visa and with direct flights,” wrote Valeri Kvaratskhelia on social media.
Businessman Mamuka Fifia states that there will no longer be a shortage of Georgian specialists in Russia, especially in the restaurant and construction business: “We are expecting very positive changes. By restoring air traffic between Russia and Georgia, the business will greatly benefit”.
Azimuth Airlines is the first Russian airline granted permission by the Georgian government to fly the Moscow-Tbilisi-Moscow route after the issuing of the decree by Putin.
The Russian airline will be served in Georgia by Valeri Kvaratskhelia's son's company, Aero Handling Georgia LLC. The company was registered by the National Agency of Public Registry just a month ago, on April 21, 2023. Davit Kvaratskhelia is its director and 60% shareholder.
The first flight out of Moscow will be greeted with a protest rally at Tbilisi International Airport. As the leader of the opposition party Droa, Elene Khoshtaria announced, the citizens will gather at Republic Square at 12:00 PM and drive to the airport in a motorcade.
Russian President issued a decree ordering the renewal of suspended flights on May 10, 2023. On top of renewed flights, a visa policy effective since 2000 has been canceled and Georgian citizens will be able to enter Russian territory without a visa from May 15.
On May 11, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili applauded the removal of a flight ban and a visa policy, while President Salome Zurabishvili denounced it, labeling it as another Russian provocation, which poses a great challenge to the Georgian government. According to her, as long as Russia remains a global villain and an occupier of Georgian territory, such a move is untimely and inappropriate. Zurabishvili called for the introduction of 3-month visas for Russian citizens.
