Georgia-Russia air link reopens

The Tbilisi-Moscow flight is completely sold out, officials say

A direct air service has resumed between Russia and Georgia, 18 months after it was suspended by Moscow in a row over alleged spying.

An Airzena-Georgian Airlines plane left the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Tuesday bound for Moscow's Domodedovo airport.

A reciprocal Aeroflot service from Moscow to Tbilisi starts on Thursday.

Russia barred air traffic, along with sea, land and railway links, after Georgia arrested four Russian army officers and accused them of espionage.

Correspondents say underlying tensions remain over Georgia's aspirations to join Nato and Russian support for the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Russian and Georgian officials say they have resolved a dispute over Georgian debts for the services of Russian air traffic controllers.