The announcement by Russian authorities to establish a direct flight connection between St. Petersburg and Sukhumi Airport in the disputed region of Abkhazia is causing a stir internationally.
Sukhumi-Babushhara Airport, which has been out of service since Georgia's civil war in the 1990s, is set to reopen after extensive renovation work is completed. These plans fit into a broader strategy by Russia to strengthen its control over the breakaway region of Abkhazia, which could further escalate geopolitical tensions.
Abkhazia, a region in northwestern Georgia, has a long and conflict-ridden history. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it declared independence from Georgia, which culminated in a bloody civil war. Since then, Abkhazia has received political, economic and military support from Russia, although it remains internationally recognized as part of Georgia, including by the United Nations and the European Union. The planned expansion of Sukhumi Airport and the establishment of direct flights to Russia could further reduce the region's isolation and promote its integration into Russian infrastructure.
Background: Sukhumi-Babushhara Airport
Sukhumi Airport, also known as Babushera, played a central role in the region before the hostilities in the 1990s. It was badly damaged during the Georgian civil war and has been largely neglected since then. Although there have been repeated attempts to reopen the airport, it has not yet started regular commercial flights. In addition, the airport is not recognized as an international airport by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which severely limits its use. The lack of recognition is a symptom of the tense geopolitical situation in the region, as many states, including the European Union, view Abkhazia as part of Georgia and do not accept its secession.
Despite these obstacles, Russia has for years pursued a policy of close ties with Abkhazia, which is also reflected in the economic support it provides to the region. The new plan to reopen Sukhumi Airport is being made possible by a public-private partnership agreement between the separatist government of Abkhazia and a Russian company that was set up specifically for this purpose. Once the renovation is complete, the airport is expected to become a central transport hub again.
Geopolitical implications
The planned air connection to St. Petersburg would be a significant step in Russia's efforts to further integrate Abkhazia into its economic and logistical infrastructure. Russian Vice Governor of St. Petersburg Kirill Polyakov said that once construction is completed, the airport will not only increase tourism flows in the region, but will also attract investment. Russia stresses that this development could turn Abkhazia into a thriving region that has not yet sufficiently benefited from its potential.
However, from a Georgian and international perspective, this move is viewed with concern. The international community continues to recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia, and the establishment of a direct air link between a Russian metropolis and the breakaway territory is seen as another attempt by Russia to create facts on the ground and undermine Georgia's territorial integrity. Georgia has already protested against previous attempts by Russia to further integrate Abkhazia and is likely to react sharply to the developments this time too.
The situation is reminiscent of the fate of other regions in the post-Soviet space where Russia has expanded its geopolitical power in a similar way, such as in eastern Ukraine or South Ossetia. In these conflicts, Moscow has also taken economic, infrastructural and military measures to consolidate its control and reduce the influence of international institutions.
Reactions and possible consequences
The flight connection is likely to face strong opposition in Georgia itself, as it is seen as a direct violation of national sovereignty. Tensions between Georgia and Russia, which have never fully subsided since the 2008 war, could be further exacerbated by this development. The European Union and NATO, both of which have close relations with Georgia, have also previously reacted with criticism to similar Russian actions in the region.
The planned expansion of the airport and the new flight connection could also have an impact on tourism flows to the region. Abkhazia, which is known for its scenic beauty and its Black Sea coasts, could become more attractive to Russian tourists thanks to the new flight route. However, this would further increase the region's economic dependence on Russia.
The plans to reopen Sukhumi Airport and establish a direct flight connection to St. Petersburg reflect Russia's ongoing efforts to integrate Abkhazia more into its sphere of influence. At the same time, they show how much geopolitical tensions in the region affect people's everyday lives. Whether these measures will lead to an economic recovery in Abkhazia or further fuel international tensions remains to be seen.
and 
Comment