Georgia to Build New Airport – The Largest in the Country’s History

Georgia has embarked on one of the largest transportation projects in its recent history: the construction of a new international airport in Vaziani, located 25 kilometers from Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze explained that Tbilisi’s current terminal can no longer handle the growing passenger flow. Designed for 4 million passengers annually, it has reached the limit of its modernization potential.

The new complex is planned to accommodate at least 18 million passengers per year and is set to completely replace the existing airport by 2031. Preparatory work has already begun. In 2025, Georgia plans to select a strategic partner for the design and implementation of the project, with an agreement expected to be signed with a specific company next year. According to the Prime Minister, timely completion of construction is critical for the country’s transportation connectivity and tourism development.

In early June, “Vestnik Kavkaza” reported that navigation studies have already been completed and the layout plan for the runway has been approved. Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili described Vaziani as an irreplaceable and systemic project, significant not only for aviation but also for urban development and forming a new infrastructural logic at the national level.

The portal Bm.ge reminds that the initial plan envisioned a partial opening of the terminal in 2029. Initially, the new airport was expected to handle up to 10 million passengers annually, with full capacity projected to reach 20 million.

A year ago, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was brought in to develop the master plan and announced an international tender for the design. The total project cost was initially estimated at $1.2 billion, but as of June 2025, this figure has risen to $1.3 billion. The location of the project remains unchanged—a former military airfield covering 500 hectares. The site was selected due to its potential for future transportation network expansion, proximity to the capital, and its role in economic development. Besides the main terminal and runway, the project envisions modern logistics facilities, road infrastructure, and supporting amenities.

Additionally, work continues on the reconstruction of Kutaisi Airport, which currently handles around 2 million passengers annually. The goal is to increase this number to 5 million. “This is a major infrastructure project involving significant investments of 350 million GEL,” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze explained in the Georgian parliament. “We have started the construction of an entirely new 3.5-kilometer runway. The number of aircraft parking spots at Kutaisi Airport will increase from 11 to 17. This will enable us to accommodate larger passenger and cargo aircraft without any restrictions.”

The Prime Minister emphasized the uniqueness of the project in terms of scale and technological solutions. Construction of the new passenger terminal is set to begin this year. A completely new terminal will be added to Kutaisi International Airport. The project is crucial for the entire country and is expected to have a particularly positive impact on the development of the Imereti region.

According to Georgia’s National Tourism Administration, most visitors entered the country between January and June 2025 via Tbilisi Airport. There, 803,842 passengers were registered, accounting for 28.6% of all international visits. This represents a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Kutaisi Airport handled 207,247 passengers during the same period (+14.9%). Batumi saw the highest annual growth, with a 36.7% increase to 187,711 passengers.

Air travel is becoming increasingly popular. Between January and June 2025, air passenger traffic rose by 17.2% to reach 1.2 million. The share of travelers choosing to enter Georgia via airports has nearly reached 43%. In response to growing tourist flows, flight programs have been expanded, and new airlines have entered the market. Currently, over 70 airlines operate in the country, covering more than 110 destinations. The positive trend is expected to continue in the coming years.

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