Georgian pilots claim they are being overlooked
The Messenger (Georgia)
December 16, 2004
As reported in Akhali Taoba, the Georgian Pilots’ Association held a
press conference on December 14, at which President of the association
Alberto Nerbekin spoke about problems in Georgian aviation. National
Airlines received a license some days ago to conduct flights using
Armenian A 320 airplanes, but according to members of the Pilots’
Association, National Airlines employs foreign pilots while they
themselves remain unemployed. The president of the association told
Akhali Taoba that National Airlines violates the rights of Georgian
pilots by employing foreign flyers. “This is prohibited by the law,
which protects our rights. Foreign pilots have the right to fly in
Georgia on our country’s airlines only six months out of the year, and
only if a Georgian pilot flies with the foreigners,” stated Nerbekin.
The pilots state that they have some 30 years of experience in this
sphere and that there are dilettantes in Georgian aviation. According
to them, National Airlines signed an agreement with Armenia and
expects the Armenians pilots to arrive in Georgia, but the Pilots’
Association protests against this agreement, saying it as illegal.