British Mediterranean Airways Executives on Talks in Tbilisi

(Tbilisi. April 1, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Chief Executive of British Mediterranean Airways Des Hetherington arrives in Georgia today to hold talks with the Georgian authorities regarding the suspension of the company?s flights.

?Chief of the Marketing Department of the company is already in Tbilisi,? Tamuna Shanidze, Spokesperson for the British Airways Tbilisi office told Civil Georgia today.

British Mediterranean Airways is an independent franchise partner of British Airways, which operates flights between London and Tbilisi.

The Georgian Civil Aviation Administration reduced the British Mediterranean Airways flights from three to two per-week. This restriction is effective for the period 30th March 2003 through to the 15th April 2003 after which the permit expires and all the flights will be suspended.

The decision of the CAA follows Georgian Parliament?s February 27 decree. According to Parliament?s decision the flight of foreign companies should be suspended as the tax breaks for them are illegal.

?British Airways? debt to Georgia consists 13 million Lari, Turkish Airlines? debt ? 17 million,? Zviad Mukbaniani, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs told Civil Georgia.

The flights of the Turkish Airlines will be suspended from April 15 as well.

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