The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili, estimated the country's tourism profit from the resumption of air traffic with Russia at $300 million to $400 million per year.
On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the resumption of air traffic with Georgia, which was terminated in the summer of 2019. In addition, on May 15, Russia canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens. The Georgian government supported the decision of the Russian authorities. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said everything that makes life, movement, and business easier for Georgian citizens is positive and welcome.
Russian airlines had asked the Georgian authorities to start operating flights to the country. The Georgian Civil Aviation Agency responded that the country would only allow airlines and aircraft not under sanctions to operate flights.
