Georgian authorities request passenger numbers cut from 1500 to 500(325 words)

Published: 2/22/2001

In an intriguing piece of post-Soviet central planning, the Georgian authorities have called for the number of passengers carried between Russia and Georgia each week, under the bilateral agreement, to be cut from 1500 to 500 passengers - according to Robert Oganesyan (Sales Director of Airzena, the Georgian flag carrier). In what appears to be a blatant attempt, on the part of the Georgians, to assist struggling Airzena, at the expense of the more successful Russian carriers. Georguy Nizharadze (head of the Georgian Air Transport Department) believes that this reduction is necessary since the introduction of a visa régime between the two countries in December 2000, has forced yet further declines in the already flagging traffic between the two countries. The volume of passengers flying with Georgian airlines has fallen by 50-60%, according to Tamaz Gaiashvili (President of Airzena). Currently Georgian carriers fly 300-400 passengers per week, leaving Airzena's daily B-737 (112 seat) service to Moscow largely empty. Aeroflot and Aviaexpresscruise carry 800 passengers per week, with Aeroflot operating a four flights weekly Tu-154 service, with 60% load factor. According to Oganesyan, the Russians' relative success is due to faster issuing of visas to passengers traveling on Russian airlines and lower operating costs for Russian airlines, made possible by the difference in airport costs between the two countries. Aeroflot claims that Georgians prefer to fly with an airline, which has better transit connections and flies into Moscow's Shermetyevo rather than Vnukovo Airport (used by Airzena). The airline added that any plans to cut the quota would be considered a hindrance to the development of the air transport market between the two countries. The GSGA has not acknowledged any official approach from the Georgians, although one source commented that they had suggested quota reductions between the two countries in the past. It seems unlikely that they will concede a reduction this time.

Article ID: 2370