Tbilisi airport operator says “no connection” between resignation of former employee, Russia’s lifting of flights ban with Georgia
TAV Georgia said the resignation of its former employee in an apparent protest could not have “any connection” with the Russian Government’s lifting of a ban on flights with Georgia on Wednesday. Photo: TAV Georgia
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TAV Georgia, the company operating Tbilisi International Airport in the capital city, on Thursday said the resignation of its former employee in an apparent protest could not have “any connection” with the Russian Government’s lifting of a ban on flights with Georgia on Wednesday.
The company was responding to a social media post by Giorgi Pkhaladze, who worked as a cashier for the parking lot of the facility before submitting his resignation letter this month in protest, after the Kremlin’s decision to end its ban on direct flights with Georgia that had been in place since _.
Pkhaladze said he would “not serve passengers arriving with direct flights from Russia”, in an apparent protest of the country’s occupation of two of Georgia’s regions, in his announcement of the resignation on Wednesday, which was also reported by some domestic TV channels.
In its response, TAV Georgia said Pkhaladze had submitted his resignation on May 1, while Russia announced the lifting of ban on flights - and enactment of three-month visa-free travel for Georgian citizens with Russia - on Wednesday, May 10.
Accordingly, his leaving of the service cannot have any connection with the lifting of the ban on flights to Georgia for Russian airlines”, the airport operator said.
The company also said Pkhaladze’s position meant he had “no connection” with flight-related services and “[t]herefore, it is completely inappropriate for him to say that he would ‘not serve those arriving with direct flights from Russia’”.
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, on Wednesday, responded to the Russian Government’s decision to lift its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying that sanctioned airlines and ships would not be able to operate in Georgia, while unsanctioned ones would have an opportunity to perform direct flights.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday, said the delay in granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status, which the country deserved to obtain last year, led to Russia’s “activation” and its decision to lift a ban on flights with Georgia and revoke visa requirements for citizens of the country.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, on Wednesday, responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying it was a “sole decision” of official Moscow and the Georgian side “could not have any influence” on it.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said Russian aircraft sanctioned by the international community following the country’s invasion of Ukraine would not be allowed to enter Georgian airspace, in response to the Russian Government's move on Wednesday to resume direct flights with Georgia.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying it was a “unilateral decision” by Russia, and pledged continued observance of sanctions placed by the international country on the latter for its invasion of Ukraine.