Putin bans Russian airlines from flying to Georgia

‘National security’ measure seriously escalates tensions after clashes in Tbilisi during protests against visit by Russian MP

Vladimir Putin has banned Russia’s airlines from flying to Georgia, a day after a Russian lawmaker’s visit to the country prompted violent clashes between protesters and police.

The ban is a serious escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries, which fought a war in 2008. The suspension of flights is designed to put pressure on Georgia’s tourism industry, which accounted for 7.6% of the country’s GDP in 2018. More than 1.4 million Russians visited Georgia last year.

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from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2Fo9y3e