Aslan Bzhania, the de facto president of Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia region, has anticipated potential sanctions from western nations targeting Russian airlines that fly to Sukhumi airport, the main city of the region. 

In an interview with Abkhaz TV this week, Bzhania highlighted the obstruction of the airport restoration project by various entities, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Georgia, and EU member states. He emphasized that “despite these challenges, Russia, Abkhazia's ally, is assisting in the restoration efforts”.

The de facto president emphasized the significance of the project, believing it will positively impact Abkhazia's economy and enhance its appeal. He stressed that Abkhazia's people “hold authority over their land and determine the regulations for temporary visitors”.

The Sukhumi airport reconstruction project, awarded to Infrastructure Development LLC, led by Rashid Rashidovich Nurgaliev, son of former Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev, was announced in fall 2023. 

Dmitry Volvach, Russia's Deputy Minister of Economic Development, disclosed that the project's investment volume would exceed 12 billion rubles, with plans for the first test flight from Russia to Sukhumi Airport scheduled for this year.

However, the International Civil Aviation Organization does not recognize Sukhumi Airport as an international airport due to its acknowledgment of Georgia's territorial integrity. Operating flights over what is termed "occupied Abkhazia" without Georgian authorization violates international norms. Since 2006, the ICAO has nullified the airport code and omitted it from official documents.