On Friday, May 19, the plane of the Russian airline “Azimuth” made its first direct flight from Moscow to Tbilisi after a four-year hiatus. Ride safely landed The reporter reported that in the capital of Georgia, the flight took place normally. DEA News.
“According to crew members, there were a total of 86 passengers on board, 14 seats left unoccupied,” the publication says.
According to the agency, champagne was offered to all passengers. The Azimut company also released its custom keychains.
“We are not satisfied with direct flights to Moscow”
Supporters of the opposition Droa (Time) party moved in convoys to the international airport to “make it known that they are not satisfied with direct flights from Moscow”, in anticipation of the arrival of a plane from the Russian capital.
The airport itself was cordoned off by the police, locked inside the waiting room. When asked why the waiting room was closed, the security forces replied, “There is no reason,” writes the media.
As a result, around 200 protesters with posters gathered in the airport building to welcome passengers. Detentions started, security forces demanded that the road be evacuated “New newspaper Europe”.
“Police roughly detained another man – he was grabbed by several police officers and carried by his arms and legs,” the publication’s reporter said. Paper Cartridge.
Protesters shout “Monebo”, translated from Georgian as “Slaves”, at the arriving people.
Opponents too tested He broke through the police cordon at the airport, but the police managed to stop the protesters.
“Russian tourists to the republic are reluctant to communicate with journalists. Representatives of opposition TV companies ask them provocative questions, especially about whether they see Russia as an invader. The patrol police are trying to restore order, ”says RIA Novosti.
Resumption of direct flights
Remember Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 10 It is cancelled He lifted the visa regime with Georgia and also the flight ban on Russian airlines. On May 16, Azimut received permission from Tbilisi for flights between the two capitals.
On the other hand, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili judicial “Unwanted” flight from Moscow to Tbilisi. According to him, the flight took place “against the wishes of the Georgian people.”
On Friday, remember the Georgian Civil Aviation Authority allowed On the flights of the Russian airline Red Wings, which will operate Sochi-Tbilisi and Moscow-Kutaisi flights and return three times a week. It was noted that Red Wings was “not on the EU blacklist”.
Previously, Russian Azimuth and Georgian Georgian Airways had received international flight permits. Employees of the latter were accused of “treason of national interests.”
The previous day, the official representative of the head of EU diplomacy, Peter Stano, said that the EU regrets that Georgia does not participate in European sanctions against the Russian aviation sector and that it is restoring air traffic with the Russian Federation.
This decision of the Georgian authorities raises concerns about Georgia’s accession to the EU in terms of compliance with the EU’s foreign policy decisions. interfax.
Stano added that the International Civil Aviation Organization contacted Georgian authorities this week to discuss the safety of the Russian aviation sector and Russian aircraft.