Georgian President’s Plane Makes Emergency Landing

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s plane had to make an emergency landing at the airport in Bucharest, Romania, due to a mechanical problem, the presidential administration reported on Thursday.

“President Saakashvili was unable to return to Georgia from Romania at the scheduled time because his plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Bucharest 10 minutes after taking off. The cause was a malfunction in the undercarriage,” the administration said.

The Rustavi 2 television network identified Saakashvili’s plane as a “Boeing” and said the plane’s pilot made the decision to return to Otopeni Airport in Bucharest within 20 minutes of taking off from there.

An airport spokesman said an inspection of the plane was being carried out and Saakashvili should be able to depart for Georgia Thursday evening.

After arriving back in Bucharest, Saakashvili returned to the hotel where he stayed while attending the congress of the European People’s Party, Newsru.com reported.   http://en.ria.ru

TBILISI, DFWatch — A business jet carrying President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, had to make an emergency landing at Bucharest airport Thursday night, the president’s administration informs.

Saakashvili was returning home after attending a conference, but ten minutes after takeoff his plane landed again in the Romanian capital. His press service says there were problems related to the chassis of the private jet.

The plane is currently undergoing a technical inspection. The president will return to Georgia later tonight.

Saakashvilli had planned to come back to Georgia earlier to meet guest from the EU and NATO, who already have been holding meetings with current and future government officials.
 
The Georgian leader was in Bucharest to attend the 21th congress of the Europe’s People’s Party (EPP) and addressed the delegates yesterday.

Mr Saakashvili also had meetings with the Romanian president and the prime minister of Hungary.