MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Construction of a new runway at Kutaisi International Airport is starting. First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili took part in the groundbreaking event together with Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze.

Levan Davitashvili, in his speech, talked about the political and economic significance of the project and its importance in terms of Kutaisi Airport development and the aviation industry of the entire country.

"This is the beginning of the most important infrastructure - when we talk about the development of tourism, aviation, transport, this project is very important. For the first time in Georgia, a completely new runway will be built, which is the main infrastructure of the airport. Instead of the current 2,5 km runway, we will have a 3,5 km one that will serve all types of aircraft in accordance with international standards. This allows us to increase the passenger flow, and at the same time, Kutaisi will be given the opportunity to be a very significant freight transportation hub," – Levan Davitashvili noted in his speech.

The new runway of Kutaisi International Airport will be the longest in Georgia and, together with the new infrastructure, will significantly improve the air cargo transportation capabilities of the airport and the country in general, will contribute to the growth of tourist flows and the number of new flights. The project will be implemented by Anagi LLC. The development and expansion of Kutaisi Airport is reflected in the document developed by the Government of Georgia - "Vision 2030 in the Development Strategy of Georgia". According to the information of the First Vice Prime Minister, the state plans to invest 240 million GEL in the project.

The construction of a new runway, together with the development of a logistics center and a cargo terminal, will allow the airport to receive wide-body aircraft. According to the information of the First Vice Prime Minister, the general plan for the development of Kutaisi Airport has already been completed, according to which the most important infrastructure is the construction of a new runway, so that Kutaisi Airport, in the long term, can function as a full-fledged transit and transport hub.

Levan Davitashvili also emphasized that Kutaisi International Airport has a huge potential for development. However, according to the data of the first 9 months of 2024, the airport served 1 284 997 passengers, which is much higher than the passenger flow data compared to the same period last year. According to the forecast prepared within the framework of the general development plan, the passenger flow of the airport will increase to 5 million passengers per year in the coming years. In addition, the plan envisages the infrastructure projects, optimization of the aviation security and border control area of the passenger terminal, further development of the airport terminal, arrangement of new parking spaces, etc.

"The airport is a unique ecosystem that combines the economic activities of people from many professions. More than 1 000 professionals are employed at Kutaisi Airport, it is very important for the economy, business, and investments of the city, the entire Imereti region. We have plans to create in Kutaisi a suitable school for pilots and aviation professions, an academy that will train Kutaisi residents and residents of the Imereti region in high-paying professions. All this, of course, serves one thing – to maintain and promote economic growth, so that it ultimately affects the well-being of our population," – Levan Davitashvili stated.