18:00, 7 August 2010

Bagapsh: regular flights from Abkhazia to Russia to start in 2011

Regular flights connecting Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, with Russia, will start in 2011; at the initial stage, two-three flights a week will be carried out. This was stated today by President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh.

"The issue is studied; and the airport is prepared. We'll use the winter period for settling all the problems arising with the Russian party and at here that is, the runway, navigation, flight scheduling and safety, and a whole complex of issues. I think that we'll start regular flights next year. At first - two-three flights a week, then - more," Mr Bagapsh said in his interview to the RIA "Novosti".

Now Abkhazia and Russia have no air communication - it was interrupted during the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict back in early 1990s.