Tbilisi Against Restoration of Air Link between Russia and Abkhazia

(Tbilisi, August 19, 2003, Civil Georgia) – According to the preliminary information of the Georgian Ministry of Transport and Communications Russia assists Abkhaz side to restore the Babushera airport near breakaway Abkhaz capital Sukhumi.

“If this information is confirmed, the Georgian side will voice protest, since under the International Aviation Charter, the closed airdrome is prohibited to be put into operation without the permission of the owner [the Georgian side in this case],” Spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Communication!
s Goga Korkaia told Civil Georgia on August 19.

Unofficial reports say the Krasnodar District of the Russian Federation is even ready to grant a plane to the Abkhaz side.

Georgia claims that the Abkhaz side has no right to conduct air flights without the permission of the Georgian authorities.

Despite numerous protests by the Georgian authorities, the sea and railway communications were restored between Russia and Abkhazia recently.