PM unveils plans for Georgia’s new, “top-standard” airport

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday unveiled his office’s “ambitious plans” to build a “new, modern and international-standard” airport, which he said would respond to the Government's intentions of transforming the country into a regional hub. 

In his comments at the weekly cabinet meeting, the head of the Government said the “disadvantages and limitations” of Tbilisi International Airport, which currently serves the city, were being revealed by increased tourist traffic, Agenda.ge reports.

He also cited conclusions by the country’s Economy Ministry that said the current airport had “failed to provide opportunities for further expansion and development”, hampering the Government's plans to promote the country’s role in the South Caucasus region.

The PM said the location of a former airfield in Vaziani, near Tbilisi, could become the site for the new airport, and added the Government would invite foreign professionals to study the prospective area and its potential.

"The Government has repeatedly said the country has the potential to be a regional hub, and the country’s Economy Ministry has been working [over the topics related to airports] over the past several months”, he noted.

Garibashvili said the new facility would mean future generations would have a “high-class” airport. 

The final decision about the location of the new airport will be made after professional assessments of the former airfield are completed, he added.