Georgia-India sign first air services agreement

Georgia and India are establishing air connectivity to foster greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Georgia’s Economy Minister Giorgi Gakharia and India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapati signed the air services agreement (ASA) in Delhi, India today, Agenda.ge reports.

ASA is the basic legal framework for any air operation between two countries. The agreement will be based on the 'Open Sky' principle; an international policy concept that calls for the liberalisation of the rules and regulations of the international aviation industry—especially commercial aviation—in order to create a free-market environment for the airline industry.

Under the ASA, the Indian carriers can operate to any points in Georgia from any points in India whereas carriers of Georgia can establish direct operation to six points, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa.

"Direct flights and the ‘Open Sky' regime is very important for establishing business ties, fast economic growth...especially when Georgia and India are about to sign a free trade agreement,” said Gakharia.