Georgian citizens stranded in Turkey return to Georgia

All Georgian citizens stranded in Turkey following the unrest on Friday night have been safely transported back to Georgia.

About 300 Georgian citizens stranded at Istanbul's main airport were flown home within coordinated activities organised by the state, announced the Government of Georgia.

Due to the recent developments taking place in Turkey and as a result of the Government's coordinated activities, all Georgian nationals have already returned from Turkey. Under the instructions of the Prime Minister, relevant agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Finance worked in an intense regime [to bring Georgian citizens home],” read the press release published by the Government of Georgia.

To facilitate the quick return of Georgian citizens from Turkey, Georgian Airways collaborated with two Turkish airline companies - Atlas Global and Turkish Airlines - to transport the stranded passengers.

Atlas Global launched an additional flight - the airplane landed in Tbilisi airport at 21:30. Un total 153 passengers including four newborns were on board of the plane," said the Government.

Turkish Airlines launched an additional flight from Istanbul as well - 141 passengers were on board that plane, which landed in Tbilisi International Airport at 18:45,” read the press release.

All passengers that were stranded at Turkish airports due to the latest unrest were returned to Georgia, however some Georgian citizens who were in Istanbul in transit to fly to other countries were still waiting for their rescheduled flights.

Members of the children's folk ensemble 'Qartuli Geni' have safely departed for Georgia. As a result of the situation in Turkey their bus had previously bee stopped 60km from Istanbul,” said the Government.

An updated schedule of regular flights from Turkey to Georgia has been created.

An Atlas Global flight will depart for Tbilisi at 23:45, while a flight from Ataturk airport is scheduled for 01:40.

 Restrictions imposed at the border crossing points for the purpose of ensuring safety of Georgian nationals have been removed since 16:00 and uninterrupted movement of Georgian citizens in the direction of Turkey is possible via land and sea borders, as well as via the crossing points of the airports,” read the press release.

Customs check points near the Turkish-Georgian borderline, including Sarpi, Kartsakhi, Vale were now operating in a normal regime and handling of passengers and cargo to Europe was uninterrupted.