Georgia’s flag carrier, Georgian Airways, has halted flights between Tbilisi and Moscow that were routing through Yerevan. Reports indicate the information comes from TASS, the Russian news agency. The move affects itineraries that involved a transit stop in Yerevan as part of the Moscow service.
On May 16, Georgian Airways announced that direct flights to Moscow would be offered for sale, marking a shift away from the previously used transit routes via Armenia. A carrier spokesperson confirmed to the agency that all transit services had been canceled after May 20, signaling a change in the airline’s operational plans and network strategy for the Russia–Georgia corridor.
The carrier also noted that a decision on refunds for passengers who purchased tickets for later travel dates remained undecided at that time. This statement underscored ongoing discussions about the handling of ticket adjustments and customer compensation as travel plans were disrupted by the route changes.
Georgian Airways added that the matter of tickets issued by the Armenian airline Air Dilijans for transit flights through Yerevan had been resolved at the departmental level. Passengers affected by those tickets would receive updates by the end of the day, according to the carrier. This resolution appears to focus on cross-border transit arrangements that intersect with Armenia and Georgia, rather than on direct Georgia–Russia services alone.
Separately, political developments influenced the broader aviation landscape. Russian President Vladimir Putin had lifted the flight ban that had restricted Russian airlines from operating to Georgia, a ban that had been in place since June 2019. The announcement, which followed policy changes earlier in the year, also included the restoration of visa-free entry for Georgian citizens traveling to Russia, signaling a potential shift in travel and regulatory dynamics between the two countries.
In the context of the evolving route network, Georgian Airways has been navigating a complex environment shaped by regulatory decisions, bilateral relations, and market demand. The airline’s decision to discontinue transit flights through Yerevan and to introduce direct Moscow services reflects a broader trend in which carriers reassess intermediate stops in response to geopolitical constraints and customer preferences. Industry observers note that such adjustments can impact ticket pricing, scheduling reliability, and loyalty program value for frequent travelers who previously relied on the transit model. This period also highlights the importance of clear communication with passengers regarding refunds, rebooking options, and resolution timelines as routes and policies continue to change. The situation illustrates how national carriers respond to regional disruptions while attempting to maintain service continuity for travelers who rely on international flight connections and the broader Russia–Caucasus corridor. At present, travelers are advised to monitor official carrier notifications and verify the latest schedules and refund policies through authoritative airline channels to avoid uncertainty as the network evolves.