It will take at least five years for Georgia to become an air transit state, so don't worry unnecessarily! - Sanctions cannot be applied only to us, they should first concern Turkey, the United Emirates, Israel, Central Asian, and only then will they reach us, Georgian Airways says in a statement, responding to the questions regarding transit flights to various countries through Georgia.

As they say in Georgian Airways, actively discussing the issue of transit flights in the media space serves only the purpose of "making noise about whatever".

"Georgian Airways responds to the questions raised in the media today (May 25) regarding transit flights to various countries through Georgia.

First of all, we would like to remind the public that for many years there have been talks about turning the country into an international transit hub. Despite the attractiveness of the idea, Tbilisi International Airport does not meet the necessary standards for an international hub. Years pass and until today it was not possible to build even a transit hall on the territory of the airport. Therefore, it is unnecessary to talk about the international hub.

As for the issue of transit flights. Today, the world aviation field has moved to digital and online mode. Passengers have the right and opportunity to buy tickets from any location and fly to the desired destination. This is a simple fact that is not hidden from anyone, therefore, the question arises, what is the purpose of the issue of transit flights, which is actively discussed in the media today? Nothing, except to make noise about whatever. We remind you that in the Russian Federation, in addition to Russian citizens, many citizens of other countries live or work, many people have the status of dual citizens or the right of residence. Diplomats live there. Western countries, if we do not take into account a few restrictions, have not stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens. Citizens of EU member states and USA will also move to and from Russia. Therefore, it is not correct to say that only Russian citizens from Russia will use Georgia as a transit location.

Until now, Georgia was not a transit window for passengers flying from Russia, although such countries as Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Central Asian states, etc., have been continuously performing this role for a long time. The real transit hub in the region is Turkey, a NATO member country, from which forty flights to Russia are made every day and from which 70 percent of transit shipments come. Do not forget that many citizens of Georgia fly through Istanbul to European and American countries. There are six daily flights from Tbilisi to Istanbul.

Our country cannot play a big role in transit shipments. Our share is 0.00... and something percentage. It will take at least five years for Georgia to become an air transit state, even if we are given the opportunity to do so. So don't worry unnecessarily!

As for the sanctions, it cannot be applied only to us. They should first concern Turkey, the United Emirates, Israel, Central Asian, and only then will they reach us.

From our side, we can say that, as before, we will be a company defending the interests of Georgia and we will perform flights in full compliance with Georgian and international regulations," the statement reads.