11 February 2010, 23:10
Authorities of Russia and Georgia wait for steps towards restart of air communication from each other
In the opinion of Timur Khikmatov, head of the PR Department of the Ministry of Transports of the Russian Federation, if Georgia wants to resume air traffic with Russia, she should initiate negotiations at the level of state administrations. In his turn, Georgiy Dokuchava, head of the united transport organization of Georgia, believes that Russia should initiate negotiations, as it was Russia, who closed the air corridor in August 2008.
"The Georgian party has many times revealed in the press its intention to renew the air traffic between Moscow and Tbilisi, but made no actions to start the negotiating process," Timur Khikmatov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Before the New Year holidays, the Georgian airline "Airzena - Georgian Airways" applied to the Ministry of Transports of the Russian Federation for a permit to make five charter flights to Moscow and St Petersburg. The application was satisfied.
"The airline made only three charter flights to Moscow," Mr Khikmatov has added, "but cancelled its two charter flights to St Petersburg for the reasons that we don't know."
Flights to St Petersburg failed because the application was satisfied only two days before the scheduled start. "We just had no time to sell tickets and prepare the aircrafts," said a source in the press service of the airline.
The airline "Airzena - Georgian Airways" has again addressed the Russian Ministry of Transports with a request for new charter flights, but was rejected. "We were told that they would talk only with Georgian authorities. Termination of air flights between our countries is policy. But ordinary citizens are suffering," said the airline.
Author: Elena Khrustaleva Source: CK correspondent
