Georgia Suspends British Airways, Turkish Airlines Flights

(Tbilisi. March 31, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Following the decision of the Georgian Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) Georgia suspended flights of British Airways and Turkish Airlines companies from April 15.

?Despite the International Treaty between the United Kingdom and Georgia permitting airlines of both countries to operate three services per week the Georgian CAA have imposed a limit of two. This restriction is effective for the period 30th March 2003 through to the 15th April 2003 after which the permit expires,? the statement of British Mediterranean Airways issued on March 31 reads.

British Mediterranean Airways is an independent franchise partner of British Airways operating flights between London and Georgian capital Tbilisi.

The decision of the CAA follows Georgian Parliament?s February 27 decree. According to Parliament?s decision the flight of foreign companies should be suspended as the tax breaks for them are illegal.

?The foreign companies should pay the same taxes as the local ones, in case there is no special agreement regulating the issue,? the Parliament?s decree reads.

?British Airways? debt to Georgia consists 13 million Lari, Turkish Airlines? debt ? 17 million,? Zviad Mukbaniani, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs told Civil Georgia.

?The six years that we have operated scheduled air services between London and Tbilisi have seen a growth in the amount of air travel to and from Georgia and I am sorry that this important link is under threat,? the Chief Executive of British Mediterranean Airways, Des Hetherington says.

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