Dozens of police officers were deployed at Tbilisi's Shota Rustaveli Airport on May 19th, 2023 as Georgia welcomed the first flight from Russia after the resumption of direct air travel. The reopening of the route, which had been suspended since 2019, stirred up discontent among a group of protesters who gathered at the airport. The exit area was cordoned off by the police, intensifying tensions on the ground.

The presence of the police officers highlighted the concerns surrounding the resumption of flights between Moscow and Tbilisi. The protesters, who voiced their dissatisfaction with the decision, believed that it could potentially undermine Georgia's sovereignty. As the first flight arrived amidst a tense atmosphere, it remains to be seen how the ongoing situation will unfold and whether the concerns of the protesters will be addressed by the authorities.