Analysis

Georgia to subsidise Yerevan transit flights

The Georgian government has moved to counter a ban on direct flights from Russia by announcing that it will cover the travel expenses of passengers travelling to Georgia from Russia via Yerevan, Armenia.

According to the Georgian press, the government has so far allocated 600,000 euros to finance the costs of the transit flights. Every future passenger travelling through the Armenian capital would be provided with support of up to 90 euros.

The government is now reportedly searching for an agreement with one specific air company that would provide flight connections from Yerevan to Tbilisi and Batumi, and then back to the Armenian capital.

The selected airline will have to operate flights at least twice a week.

The government’s announcement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a ban on direct flights from Russia to Georgia following protests in Tbilisi against Russia’s occupation of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia.