Cancellation of visas and resumption of flights
During a meeting with members of Delovaya Rossiya on a recent Friday, the Russian president discussed the unexpected public reaction to Moscow’s move to cancel visas and restore air travel with Georgia. The president expressed astonishment at how Georgia’s response unfolded, noting that the initial sentiment he anticipated was courtesy and openness. The reaction, he said, appeared stormy and difficult to comprehend, leaving him to wonder aloud whether those responses were sane or not. This candid assessment framed his view of Georgia’s potential future relations with Russia and set the stage for discussing how both nations might navigate closer ties in areas such as business and people-to-people connections. (Source: DEA News)
Putin signaled a willingness to support Georgians who seek normal relations with Russia, as well as Russian businesses and citizens who value the neighboring country. He emphasized that this support would be ongoing and contingent on how Georgia and its partners respond to Moscow’s policy changes. In making these remarks, the head of state underscored that Georgia must chart its own developmental path and decide the direction of its future—whether to align more closely with Russia or pursue an independent trajectory. (Source: DEA News)
On May 10, Russia announced the cancellation of the visa regime with Georgia and lifted the ban on direct flights between the two countries. In Georgia, President Salome Zurabishvili labeled Moscow’s decision a provocation, a stance that drew criticism from Irakli Kobakhidze, a leading figure in the ruling party. The shift in travel policy marked a tangible turn in bilateral relations and raised expectations about tourism, trade, and people movement across the border. (Source: DEA News)
By May 19, a Russian Azimuth Airlines plane conducted the first Moscow-to-Tbilisi flight in four years, departing from Vnukovo. The event drew about 200 opposition activists who gathered at the airport, waving posters and voicing objections to the resumption of direct flights. Journalists questioned vacation travelers about the change, while Georgian authorities weighed whether such flights were in the country’s broader strategic interests. (Source: DEA News)
Flight operations from Georgia to Russia continued on May 20, with Georgian Airways resuming routes. The Georgian Civil Aviation Authority granted permission for Red Wings to operate services between Sochi and Tbilisi and Moscow and Kutaisi, with roughly three weekly rotations. In a parallel development, Georgian Airways announced plans to launch transit flights through Tbilisi to five European cities, including destinations in Italy, France, Austria, Greece, and Cyprus. Tamaz Gaiashvili, the airline’s founder, indicated that demand on these routes would be adequate, though he also noted that direct Russian passenger traffic to Georgia remained relatively modest, a view echoed by tourism professionals. (Source: DEA News)
Industry observers observed that the return of flights did not immediately translate into robust tourist demand. Prices for travel remained high relative to some competing destinations, which limited the competitiveness of Georgia as a direct option for Russian travelers. Yet, as flight services resumed, restrictions on tour marketing and sales were eased, contributing to a noticeable rise in bookings reported by Georgian tourism companies. Operators began receiving inquiries for beach getaways in Batumi, though a direct flight connection remained unavailable, and itineraries requiring connections via Tbilisi were frequently cited as costly and less convenient. (Source: DEA News)
Overall, the period marked a shift in the travel landscape between Russia and Georgia, with both sides evaluating the practical implications for trade, tourism, and everyday people seeking mobility. The evolving policy framework signaled a transition from a restricted to a gradually expanding travel corridor, while stakeholders in the tourism sector adapted to new pricing dynamics and route options as markets reassessed risk and opportunity. (Source: DEA News)