The operation of international air traffic from an airport illegally opened in occupied Abkhazia, where the Georgian side is deprived of the ability to ensure aviation safety and security, constitutes a violation of both international norms and Georgian legislation, – reads a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Agency, in which they respond to the resumption of regular flights between Russia and occupied Abkhazia.
They claim that the operation of air traffic from an airport that does not have an aerodrome suitability certificate issued by an authorized body poses a threat to aviation and passenger safety.
“We would like to respond to the fact that Russian airlines have started air traffic to occupied Abkhazia and once again clarify that the implementation of international air traffic by any airline from an airport illegally opened in occupied Abkhazia, which is not certified by the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia and where the Georgian side is deprived of the opportunity to ensure aviation safety and security supervision, is a violation of both international norms and Georgian legislation (the Law on Occupied Territories).
In the conditions when the Abkhaz region is occupied, the Georgian aviation authorities are deprived of the opportunity to ensure aviation safety and security supervision, to assess the technical condition of the aerodrome and its suitability in terms of flight safety and aviation security on the spot. Accordingly, operating air traffic from an airport without an aerodrome suitability certificate issued by an authorized body, in addition to being a violation of the legislation, poses a threat to aviation and passenger safety.
As a signatory state to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), Georgia always acts in the field of civil aviation in accordance with the standards established by the organization, as well as adheres to the principles of existing bilateral and multilateral agreements. For years, Georgia has been using all international formats to ensure that the inadmissibility of international flights from airports located in the occupied territories of Georgia is constantly on the agenda. In this regard, Georgia has strong and unconditional support from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Regarding the implementation of regular international flights from the airport illegally operated in the occupied territory, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already addressed a diplomatic note to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), where it once again clearly stated the country’s position on the inadmissibility of international air traffic from occupied Abkhazia without the permission of the authorized Georgian agency. Work continues with the involvement of all relevant agencies of the country to respond to the fact of illegal flights in Georgian airspace, taking into account all international formats,” reads the statement.
For information, direct regular flights between Russia and occupied Abkhazia will resume today, for the first time in 30 years.
Related story: Russia resumes direct flights to occupied Abkhazia after 30-year break
