TAV Georgia to Invest $5 Million in Batumi Airport Expansion

TAV Georgia will invest $5 million in expanding the infrastructure of Batumi Airport, which has recorded the fastest passenger traffic growth among Georgia’s airports. The project is aimed at increasing terminal capacity and improving passenger services, BM.GE reports.

Batumi Airport passenger traffic grows by 45%

TAV Georgia General Manager Tea Zakariadze said that passenger traffic at Batumi Airport increased by 40–45% over the past two years. As a result, the company decided to invest $5 million in modernization and expansion. The project will increase the airport’s capacity by around 25%, or by 400,000 passengers annually — from 1.3 million to 1.7 million.

The works will cover both departure and arrival terminals. The current airport infrastructure occupies 8,000 sq. m, with an additional 1,000 sq. m to be added. The project also includes new administrative and operational areas, including 450 sq. m of office space for employees.

The number of check-in counters will increase from 14 to 18, while the number of passport control booths will rise to five. This will reduce the time required for passenger procedures. In addition, the expansion of the Duty Free area has already been completed. The renovated retail space has been equipped in line with modern standards.

A representative of TAV Georgia noted that Batumi Airport will enter 2027 with upgraded infrastructure. The company is also negotiating with the government on a larger-scale airport expansion project, with talks expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Development of other airports in Georgia

The authorities continue modernizing other airports in Georgia and are planning the construction of new facilities. The agreement with TAV Airports and ADP for the management of Tbilisi Airport has been extended for another five years. As a result of the negotiations, the state will receive a one-time payment of $25 million, while the volume of investments in development will amount to $150 million. Once completed, the project will increase the capacity of the aviation hub by 53%.

Construction of new terminals at Telavi and Mestia airports is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with completion planned by the end of 2028. At the end of 2027, construction of the new Vaziani International Airport terminal in Tbilisi is expected to start. The facility will be able to handle around 20 million passengers annually.

The number of airlines operating in the Georgian market has increased from 62 to 82, while the number of routes has grown from 109 to 125. New destinations include Beijing, Shanghai, London, and Geneva. The authorities are currently negotiating with 18 more airlines to launch operations and introduce additional routes.

Record performance of Georgian airports

In 2025, Georgian airports handled a record 8.5 million passengers, which was 14.1% higher than in 2024. The number of passenger flights increased by 11.1% to 33,600. Air cargo volumes rose by 48% to 38,800 tonnes.

In January–March 2026, Georgian airports handled more than 1.6 million passengers (+4.28%), according to the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency. A total of 7,799 flights were operated (+8.7%), while air cargo volumes increased by 32.26% to almost 10,200 tonnes. Tbilisi Airport served 1.1 million passengers (+8.02%), Kutaisi Airport handled 386,238 passengers (+6.86%), and Batumi Airport served 115,785 passengers.

In the first quarter of 2026, Wizz Air became the largest airline in the Georgian market, carrying 326,670 passengers and holding a 20% market share. The top five carriers also included Georgian Airways (9%), Pegasus and Turkish Airlines (8% each), and Azerbaijan Airlines (6%).

Impact on tourism and investment in Georgia

International Investment analysts note that airport expansion allows airlines to launch new routes and improves Georgia’s accessibility for tourism and business travel. This is particularly important for the coastal region of Adjara, which attracts a significant number of visitors.

An increase in international flights and terminal capacity creates additional opportunities for the hospitality sector. For investors, infrastructure development is becoming one of the factors in assessing market prospects, as transport accessibility influences demand.

The growth of air connectivity and tourism in Georgia increases the attractiveness of investments in hotels and related services. High-end projects remain one of the most stable segments. Limited supply and demand from affluent travelers create potential for projects with higher returns.