Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway to be officially inaugurated on June 2

The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway is set to be officially inaugurated on June 2, marking the full operational launch of a key transport corridor linking Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye.

The opening ceremony will take place at Akhalkalaki station in Georgia and is expected to bring together officials from all three countries, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media. 

The 827-kilometre railway line has been operating in test mode since 2017, but has not previously been formally launched as a fully operational international route. Of the total length, 213 kilometres run through Georgian territory.

The project includes significant financial involvement from Azerbaijan, which funded the construction of the Georgian section through a $775 million loan. The loan is expected to be repaid from future revenues generated by the railway.

However, reports indicate that during years of limited operation, the Georgian operating company has accumulated losses exceeding 1 billion lari (approximately $370 million).

By Sabina Mammadli