The Georgian Civil Aviation Agency announced that Russian airlines have applied to the Georgian regulator for permission to start flights to the republic.

«We inform you that as of today, the Civil Aviation Agency has received applications from several [Russian] airlines with a request to start regular air service between Georgia and Russia,» the regulator said, adding that a decision on each application will be made after a detailed study of the airline's activities and its fleet, as well as the status of the air carrier in connection with international sanctions.

The Georgian Civil Aviation Agency did not specify which Russian companies applied to the country's authorities, but earlier there were rumors that Red Wings and Azimuth were ready to launch flights to the neighboring country.

As a reminder, on May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed two decrees. The first is to abolish the visa regime for Georgian citizens from May 15, and the second lifted the ban on flights by Russian airlines to Georgia from the same date.

Updated: the first permit has been received - it was issued to Azimuth Airlines. «The study of the application of one of the airlines has already been completed. This is Azimuth Airlines, which can already operate flights from May 17. The specified permit was issued today by the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency. The first flight will be operated on May 17. These will be charter flights,» said Givi Davitashvili, head of the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency. The airline will operate the first flights to Tbilisi.

Updated 2: Azimuth has already started selling tickets on its website. «Local time is indicated for each airport. Air tickets from Moscow to Tbilisi are available from 220 euros, from Tbilisi to Moscow — from 200 euros, fees are charged additionally,» the airline's press service said.