Air Code of Georgia (No. 462-IS of 1996)

This Code regulates aviation in Georgia. Its purposes are to determine unified standards of safety of aviation activities and aviation security; to contribute to the stable development of air transportation, and to the free implementation of cargo and luggage shipment, conveyance of passengers and other related services; to improve air navigation services and ensure the safety, regularity and effectiveness of air navigation; and to ensure the protection of the rights of Georgian air space users. The Code further provides that Georgia shall have complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory. The territory of Georgia is the land area under its sovereignty and the territorial waters of the Black Sea adjacent to it. The airspace of Georgia is the space above the land areas and the territorial waters of the Black Sea adjacent to it. Among others, the Code also provides the right to use the airspace of Georgia shall be granted to those civil aircraft that meet the requirements of the legislation of Georgia on noise and engine pollutant emissions. Aerodrome owners, operators and aircraft crew shall be obliged to reduce aircraft noise to a minimum on the earth's surface and during aircraft operation in the airspace. Aircraft shall be allowed to fly at supersonic speed in the airspace of Georgia at an altitude that excludes its negative impact on the environment. Civil aircraft flying in the airspace of Georgia shall be prohibited to break the sound barrier. Relevant public authorities of Georgia shall be authorised to establish the conditions under which the performance of aerial works are restricted or prohibited over a certain area, due to special environmental restrictions or presence of people and vehicles on that territory. The Code finally regulates carriage of dangerous goods including hazardous substances.