Economy Minister: airline founder claims on Gov’t preventing company from launching flights to US “speculation”
Levan Davitashvili, the Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Georgia, rejected claims by Giorgi Kodua, the founder of Air Georgia, who said the Government had prevented the airline from launching direct flights to the United States, as “speculation”. Photo: Ministry of Economy
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Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday rejected claims by Giorgi Kodua, the founder of Air Georgia, who said the Government had prevented the airline from launching direct flights to the United States, as “speculation”.
The Minister’s comments came after Kodua said on Tuesday he had been in a meeting “months ago” at the Ministry of Economy, with the involvement of “several employees” from the US Embassy, where he alleged the Georgian side had expressed its “readiness” for launching flights to the country, but asked him to refrain from organising theese flights when the meeting was over.
Today, the company does not have any airline that is licensed to fly to the US or any other destination. Additionally, the owner of the company’s board requested to have the contract cancelled. Without a aircraft and an airline, can you imagine that the company may have the right to operate?”, Davitashvili said.
The Minister also claimed Kodua had lost the licence to operate with other airlines he worked in due to “failures to fulfil obligations”.
Davitashvili added the Government was “having frequent conversations with American partners” to further encourage economic relations, including through “connectivity and cooperation in transport and launch of direct flights”.
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Wednesday accused Giorgi Kodua, the founder of Air Georgia, of “intentionally spreading false and biased information” on the Government having prevented the airline from launching direct flights to the United States.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the United States was a “strategic partner” of his Government, adding both countries were “keen” to deepen economic and other ties.
The strategic cooperation between Georgia and the United States and prospects for its strengthening were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Robin Dunnigan, the Ambassador of the US to the country.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Friday said the Government was ready to “take all necessary steps” to elevate its trade and investment partnership with the United States and its business community to a “new level”.