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APR 21, 2005 (newstodate): The transport sector is high on the agenda of liberalisation in the Republic of Georgia.
In a recent interview Georgia's minister of economy, Lexo Alexishvili, said special attention is being paid to the transport sphere, particularly in civil aviation.
-The government has adopted a decree which envisages special measures for liberalization in this sector. Bilateral agreements with foreign air companies include a great deal of restrictions, including a restricted number of flights, number of air companies, number of seats, etc, he said.
-According to an agreement reached with Britain, the Georgian and British air companies will decide the frequency and routes of flights themselves. Similar actions will be done with regards to other companies and countries.
-Currently, Georgia is still failing to create a favorable market, although many companies have expressed willingness to operate flights into Tbilisi and use Tbilisi for transit purposes.
-We have already started to work towards this. We have sent letters through diplomatic channels. We are ready to launch talks. I have met with representatives of several air companies. They are ready to increase the frequency of flights here. Austrian Airlines will increase the number of its flights to three per week starting this summer. Turkish Airlines will also increase its flights to four per week, with further plans to increase this number up to seven. Flights on Turkish Airways will be conducted both from Tbilisi and Batumi, said Mr Alexishvili.
In a recent interview Georgia's minister of economy, Lexo Alexishvili, said special attention is being paid to the transport sphere, particularly in civil aviation.
-The government has adopted a decree which envisages special measures for liberalization in this sector. Bilateral agreements with foreign air companies include a great deal of restrictions, including a restricted number of flights, number of air companies, number of seats, etc, he said.
-According to an agreement reached with Britain, the Georgian and British air companies will decide the frequency and routes of flights themselves. Similar actions will be done with regards to other companies and countries.
-Currently, Georgia is still failing to create a favorable market, although many companies have expressed willingness to operate flights into Tbilisi and use Tbilisi for transit purposes.
-We have already started to work towards this. We have sent letters through diplomatic channels. We are ready to launch talks. I have met with representatives of several air companies. They are ready to increase the frequency of flights here. Austrian Airlines will increase the number of its flights to three per week starting this summer. Turkish Airlines will also increase its flights to four per week, with further plans to increase this number up to seven. Flights on Turkish Airways will be conducted both from Tbilisi and Batumi, said Mr Alexishvili.