A Georgia Airlines flight departed Tbilisi for Moscow on the morning of May 20. This is the first flight of a Georgian airline to Russia in four years.
According to RIA Novosti, the plane was about 80% full.
The day before, the first direct flight from Russia arrived in Tbilisi in four years. He was met by protesters with posters "Russian plane, go ***** ". On the same day, a rally was held near the Georgian parliament against the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
On May 10, Russia lifted the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia, a corresponding decree was signed by President Vladimir Putin. There have been no direct flights to the country since 2019 — the Kremlin made this decision after the start of anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi.
With another decree, Putin abolished the visa regime for Georgian citizens, with the exception of those who enter Russia for the purpose of work.