December 26, 2009 - 14:20 AMT
Tbilisi-Moscow, Moscow -Tbilisi flights not to be renewed on New Year's eve
Tbilisi-Moscow; Moscow -Tbilisi flights won't be renewed on New Year's eve.

Georgian authorities, as well as Airzena airway company authorities never received Moscow's reply to their request on charter flights. These flights were viewed as a first step to full restoration of regular airway communication with Russia, which was interrupted in 2006, after 4 Russian officers, accused of espionage, were arrested in Tbilisi and Batumi.

Yet, the possible restoration of flights, despite current differences between Tbilisi and Moscow, was first commented on by Russian president Dmitri Medvedev. At media forum, the Russian leader noted that he sees no special problems for flights' re-launch. Georgian president replied through his spokesman that he did not mind, reminding though that Russian authorities were the initiators of transport communication cessation.

According to the source in the Georgian government, initially Tbilisi did not believe in the possibility of flights renewal. They addressed a formal request to Moscow to once again demonstrate their readiness to collaboration renewal, and confirm that Russian authorities are not ready for it, Radio Svoboda reported.