Georgian Airways is planning to resume connecting flights between Europe and Russia. The airline plans to tap in to this limited market as direct flights between the two countries are banned due to sanctions.
Speaking to RTVI, Tamaz Gaiashvili, Founder, Georgian Airways said: “I believe there is sufficient demand on these routes. It will be more convenient and faster through Tbilisi than in other directions.”
Due to the travel-ban passengers wanting to commute between Russia and UK have to travel via non-EU destinations like Istanbul, Belgrade or Dubai.
Georgian Airways resumed flights to Russia earlier this month, operating to Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport (VKO). This marked the airline's first appearance in Russia since before the pandemic when Russia banned flights from Georgia. Russian authorities boosted the route by granting Georgian nationals up to 90-day visa-free entry.
This route resumption faced opposition and protests in Tbilisi with Georgina President declaring a boycott of Georgian Airways.
The airline will expand its European operation from its hub at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Prague (PRG) and Rome towards May end and Thessaloniki (SKG) and Larnaca (LCA) from June 2023.
These flights will be in addition to the existing flights in the network covering Amsterdam (AMS), Berlin (BER), Brussels (BRU), and Vienna (VIE).