Batumi International Airport renamed after famous Georgian aircraft designer

Batumi International Airport will soon bear the name of famous late Georgian aircraft designer Alexander Kartveli in honour of his contribution to the aviation industry.

Today the seaside city’s local government approved the initiative to rename the airport after Kartveli, which stemmed from an idea by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Garibashvili first suggested the airport’s name change several months ago. The Georgian official was also responsible for the idea to rename Tbilisi International Airport after medieval Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli. This proposal was approved earlier this year.

Giving Batumi International Airport a name that paid tribute to Kartveli was apt, said Garibashvili, as he was extremely influential in the world’s aviation industry.

The life and career of Kartveli – the man who designed a number of famous aircraft for the United States Army Air Force (later United States Air Force) during and after World War II – has seen increased public awareness in Georgia in recent months.

In July the Georgian National Museum hosted an exhibition to celebrate Kartveli’s life and work. The country’s Ministry of Defence has also marked his legacy with formal occasions.

Batumi airport boasts one of the country’s three international runways alongside Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

The Batumi International Airport terminal was renovated in 2007 after its operation was taken over by TAV Airports Holdings. Along with extra routes, the new facilities contributed to an increase in passengers departing and entering Batumi.