Why are flights between Russia and Tbilisi delayed or disrupted?

A traveler arriving from Sochi reported about a 1.5-hour delay caused by temporary flight restrictions at Sochi airport itself — international flights (including to Tbilisi) were prioritized once restrictions lifted.

Return flights from Tbilisi to Russian cities like St. Petersburg can also be delayed due to restrictions at the destination airport or airspace closures over southern Russia, not issues in Tbilisi itself.

One passenger reported a delay of more than 12 hours on their specific flight, while other flights that same day departed and arrived on schedule — delays tend to be flight-specific rather than affecting the whole airport.

Travelers have asked what a "scheduled stopover" on a flight to/from Tbilisi means and which airlines operate such routes — it's best to confirm this directly with the airline when booking.