Georgian Airways said on Monday that the dates for the first flights between Moscow and Tbilisi since air travel between the countries was frozen three years ago have been put back from December 29-30 by at least a week.
The Russian Transportation Ministry said earlier in the day that it had permitted Georgian Airways to operate charter flights from Tbilisi to Moscow on those dates.
"The flights will not take place tomorrow and the day after, as we do not have enough time. But the flights will take place between January 6 and 25," a spokesman for the Georgian company told RIA Novosti.
Direct flights between Tbilisi and Moscow were suspended in 2006 following a spy row between the former Soviet allies. They resumed for a short time in 2008 and were halted again after last August's war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said that Russia was ready to launch charter flights with Georgia, and that if flights are not restored it would be due to Tbilisi's decision.
Switzerland is currently representing Russia's interests in Georgia and Georgia's interests in Russia following a five-day war between Moscow and Tbilisi over South Ossetia. Georgia cut diplomatic ties when Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another former Georgian republic.
TBILISI, December 28 (RIA Novosti)
