In the center of Tbilisi, near the Georgian parliament building, a protest action is organized against the resumption of direct flights with Russia. The participants chant slogans “no to Russian law” and strongly criticize the decision of the Georgian authorities to authorize direct flights between the two countries.
The Georgian service of Radio Liberty broadcasts live from the stage.
According to the protesters, the restoration of direct flights between Russia and Georgia puts the country in danger, and we could end up without the status of an EU candidate country.
On Friday, the first Russian plane in four years landed at Tbilisi airport. A protest action by Georgian activists took place near the airport. Police arrested at least six participants.
On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia and canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens.
Five airlines have requested direct flights between Russia and Georgia. On May 15, the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia issued the first permit for flights to the country – the Russian airline Azimuth. Later, the Georgian airline Georgian Airways received permission.
On May 19, it became known that the Russian airline Red Wings had also received permission. Georgian authorities have stressed that they will only allow airlines that are not under Western sanctions to fly into the country.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili called the Russian authorities’ decision provocative and unacceptable in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. At the same time, the Georgian government and the ruling Georgian Dream party have come out in favor of resuming flights to Russia. It was pointed out that “a million Georgians” suffer from the lack of direct flights. Furthermore, the ruling party stressed that Georgia would not impose sanctions against Russia due to potential damage to its economy.
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