Georgian Airways launched regular Tbilisi-Tehran direct flights on November 2, which Georgian officials hope will help increase number of tourists from Iran.

The flights, which will be conducted twice a week, marks relaunch of direct regular air link between the two countries after it was suspended ten years ago.

"Iran is one of our targets for attracting tourists; number of Iranian tourists coming into Georgia increased this year by 80% and the direct flights will further contribute to this trend," Maia Sidamonidze, head of Georgian department for tourism and resorts, said on November 2.

Resumption of regular flights comes ahead of Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki's visit to Georgia on November 3-4, who will sign visa-free travel agreement between the two countries and inaugurate Iran's consular office in Black Sea resort town of Batumi.

Georgian officials say that visa-free travel and regular direct flights will also help to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

Iran is not in the list of Georgia’s key trading partners.

Trade turnover between Georgia and Iran declined by 41.5% y/y in 2009 to USD 36.3 million. The figure reached USD 41.4 million in the first nine months of 2010, according to the Georgian state statistics office.