The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Vladimir Delba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Abkhazia Vyacheslav Gladkov, Minister of Economy Temuraz Mikvabia, Director of the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport Ruslan Blindyuk.
The meeting was attended by Dmitry Zverev, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of the leadership of the Sverdlovsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Omsk regions, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra and the Republic of Bashkortostan, with whom regular flights are operated.
Opening the meeting, the President of Abkhazia noted that the reopening of the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport had become one of the most significant events for the republic in recent years. The implementation of this project is of strategic importance for the country. It opened up new opportunities for the development of tourism, increasing the republic's transport accessibility, expanding business activity and strengthening cooperation with the Russian Federation.
Badra Gunba stressed that today it is already possible to assess how air traffic with Abkhazia is developing and to sum up the preliminary results of the current tourist season.
In one year, the flight geography increased from four to twelve destinations. Moreover, some routes were opened for the first time in the history of flights between Russia and Abkhazia, including during the Soviet period.
Today, Sukhum International Airport handles from four to eight flights daily. This strongly confirms the demand for air services and the high interest in Abkhazia.
The President noted that thanks to the operation of the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport alone, Gulrypsh district's own budget revenues doubled over the year.
"This shows better than any words how important the development of modern transport infrastructure is for the country's economy and improving people's quality of life," the Head of State stressed.
The President expressed his sincere gratitude to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, noting that it was thanks to his continued support that it became possible to implement the project to restore the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport, open regular flights and give a new impetus to the development of the transport infrastructure of the Republic of Abkhazia.
Badra Gunba addressed special words of appreciation to Sergey Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, stressing that thanks to his constant attention, personal participation and support, air traffic between Abkhazia and the Russian Federation continues to develop, the geography of flights is expanding and new opportunities are opening up for the republic.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia, noted that the development of air transport has become one of the most successful joint projects between Russia and Abkhazia in recent years. According to him, the expansion of the route network helps strengthen economic, humanitarian and tourism ties between the two countries, as well as opens up new opportunities for further cooperation.
Dmitry Zverev, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, stressed that the Russian Ministry of Transport continues to provide necessary assistance to the development of air links with Abkhazia. He noted the steady growth of passenger traffic, the high demand for new routes and expressed confidence in the further development of air traffic between Abkhazia and the Russian regions.
Representatives of Russian regions spoke about the demand for flights to Sukhum among residents of their regions, the positive dynamics of flight loading and readiness for further development of transport, economic and tourism cooperation with the Republic of Abkhazia.
Prime Minister Vladimir Delba stressed that the reopening of the airport is already having a positive impact on the development of the country's economy, tourism industry and related areas. According to him, the Government of the Republic of Abkhazia will continue to create the necessary conditions for the further development of air communication and transport infrastructure.
Ruslan Blindyuk, Director of the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport, reported on the production performance of the air harbor. He said that during the period from May to August of this year, the airport handled almost 64 thousand passengers, which is 64 percent more than in the same period last year. The number of sorties has more than doubled. Thanks to the modernization of the infrastructure and the commissioning after the reconstruction of the historic terminal, the airport successfully copes with the increased workload, providing a high level of passenger service even on days of maximum flight intensity.
Summing up the meeting, the President thanked all the participants for their joint work.
"I am confident that this season will be another step forward in the development of our cooperation. We already see a good result today, but the most important thing is that we have an understanding of how to move forward," Badra Gunba said.
After the meeting, President Badra Gunba and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Abkhazia Vyacheslav Gladkov visited the restored historic terminal of the Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport, got acquainted with the working conditions of the air harbor and talked with its staff.