Russia-Georgia direct flights resume after 4-year hiatus

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A Russian passenger plane landed in Georgia on Friday, completing the first direct flight from Moscow to Tbilisi after a four-year hiatus.

The flight was operated by Azimuth, a Russian airline.

In the afternoon, Georgian Airways will carry out a flight from Tbilisi to Moscow.

According to an agreement between the Russian and Georgian regulators, there will be one flight from each capital every day.

One more Russian company, Red Wings, announced that it has requested authorization for flying to Georgia.

Georgian authorities decided to resume direct air traffic with Russia on the condition that only Russian companies not subject to the Western sanctions will be able to operate flights to Georgia.

In response to criticism from Washington, Georgian Prime Minister IIrakli Garibashvili suggested the US follow Russia's lead, establish a visa-free regime for Georgian citizens and organize direct flights to the country.