MOSCOW, Russia, June 23 (NNN-TASS) – Flights of Georgian airlines to Russia will be suspended from July 8, Russian Transport Ministry said, amid rising unrest in the Caucasus country.
The Georgian aviation authorities have been informed about the flights’ suspension by Russian aviation authorities, according to a statement by the ministry.
The reason for the suspension of flights is “the need to ensure a sufficient level of aviation security,” as well as, Georgia’s overdue debts for air navigation activities, it said.
The suspension of flights will continue until the provision of aviation safety programmes by Georgian Airways and MyWay Airlines to the Russian side and their audit and approval by the Russian side, and until the full settlement of Georgia’s air navigation service debt, according to the statement.
On Friday, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, signed a decree ordering Russian airlines to indefinitely suspend passenger flights from Russia to Georgia, starting July 8.
Moscow was forced to impose the travel ban to protect Russians from extremist actions ongoing in Georgia, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said.
Tensions between Russia and Georgia escalated sharply on Thursday and Friday, after thousands of Georgians gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi, in protest against a Russian lawmaker’s visit.
As a result, at least 240 people were injured in the riots and over 300 participants in the rally were detained.
Currently, about 5,000 to 7,000 Russian tourists, who bought tours via travel agencies are currently staying in Georgia.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry recommended Russians to avoid visiting Georgia and demanded that the Georgian authorities ensure “unconditional safety” of Russian citizens staying in the country.– NNN-TASS
