Russia initiates air travel between Russia and Abkhazia, causing a response from Georgia.
The Matter of Resumed Air Traffic Between Russia and Abkhazia: A Breach of International Norms, According to Georgia's Minister of Economy
In a bold statement, Georgia's Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili, declared that the resumption of air communication between Russia and Abkhazia marks a clear violation of international standards. As reported by Interfax, this is seen as a contravention of the norms of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to Davitashvili, these flights pose an issue for Russian airlines under international sanctions. He further stated that these airlines organizing flights to Sukhumi Airport in Abkhazia would not be authorized to operate within Georgia, given that the nation has a law forbidding foreign companies from undertaking commercial activities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia without Tbilisi's prior approval.
Initiating air traffic between Russia and Abkhazia after a 30-year pause has been reported, with the first flight set to depart from Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. This development comes as Georgia's diplomatic delegation strongly protested the move during the April 2025 Geneva International Discussions, asserting it as a breach of governance over Abkhazia, land generally recognized by the international community as Georgian territory.
Moreover, recent deployments of Russian air-defense missiles in Abkhazia have intensified the already precarious situation, prompting Tbilisi to label the move as a "provocative step" that escalates tensions and militarizes the region.
As tensions mount, Georgia has appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to intervene and halt the Russia-Abkhazia flights, arguing they defy regulations that require state approval for overflights. Despite this, Russia maintains that the flights are independent from Georgia and upholds Abkhazia’s “independence,” a claim that only a few nations, like Syria and Venezuela, endorse.
As regional stability hangs in the balance, the South Caucasus risks becoming destabilized, making the already challenging EU-mediated normalization efforts between Georgia and Russia even more complex. The involvement of forums like the Geneva Discussions underscores ongoing international scrutiny, yet finding consensus remains a challenge, owing to Russia’s veto power within the UN.
- The resumption of air traffic between Russia and Abkhazia, as announced in 2025, is viewed as a breach of international norms by Georgia's Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili, particularly those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
- Georgia's Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili, has stated that Russian airlines operating flights to Sukhumi Airport in Abkhazia would not be authorized to operate within Georgia, owing to a national law prohibiting foreign companies from undertaking commercial activities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia without Tbilisi's prior approval.
- The political landscape of Abkhazia, with the resumption of air traffic with Russia and the recent deployment of Russian air-defense missiles, has escalated tensions and contributed to the militarization of the region, according to Tbilisi.
- Georgia has implored the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to exercise its influence and prevent the Russia-Abkhazia flights, citing that these flights defy regulations requiring state approval for overflights.
