Russia has granted Georgian Airways permission...

The ministry said permission had been granted "in view of the obvious humanitarian importance of such flights."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last month Moscow was ready to restart regular air service with Georgia.

Direct flights between Tbilisi and Moscow were suspended in 2006 over a spy flap between the former Soviet neighbors. They resumed for a short time in 2008 and were halted again after the August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia.

Russia"s Transportation Ministry allowed Georgian Airways to run charter flights between the two capitals in early January.

MOSCOW, March 26 (RIA Novosti)