The resumption of direct flights with Russia in the near future, if it happens, will positively impact on our market, – Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava told journalists after today’s special Cabinet meeting.

As Natia Turnava notes, despite the fact that authorities supported the tourism industry and hotels as much as possible, the negative trend has not yet been overcome.

“As the Minister of Economy, I can confirm and it is evidenced by the statistics that we were seriously affected by the suspension of flights from Russia. Despite the fact that authorities did its best to support the tourism industry and hotels, the negative trend has not yet been overcome and we hope we will be able to do it in the future. Therefore, the resumption of direct flights with Russia in the near future, if it happens, will serve as a clear, positive signal and a positive development for our market. The winter season is approaching and our mountain resorts are expecting tourists, including Russians” – Natia Turnava said.

On September 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that he favored the resumption of direct flights to Georgia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned Russia’s airlines from flying to Georgia, a day after a Russian lawmaker Sergey Gavrilov’s visit to the country prompted violent clashes between protesters and police in Tbilisi on June 20. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree imposing a temporary ban on flights, including commercial ones, from Russia to Georgia starting July 8.