Georgia renews four old airfields to develop rural aviation

Georgia is improving its aviation infrastructure by bringing new life to several old airports in different regions of the country.

The Georgian Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) has created a concept plan to develop the country’s smaller, rural aviation centres.

A group of specialists from the GCAA studied the conditions of Georgia’s inactive airfields, heliport and runways located in different parts of the country. As a result the GCAA found four airfields had the potential for revival, GCAA director Guram Jalaghonia told local news agency BusinessPressNews.

The four airfields earmarked for upgrades were Ingiri, Omalo, Chikhareshi and Ambrolauri airfields.

Those interested in restoring these airports should address the GCAA to learn more about the renovation plans.

Developing regional small aviation is tightly linked to a country’s economy and tourism development. Regional aviation development would contribute to developing the country’s economy. It will also support the development of agriculture and tourism sectors. It might also solve demographic problems in the high-mountain regions,” said Jalaghonia.

As of today three international airports operate in Georgia: Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport, Batumi Alexander Kartveli International Airport and Kutaisi International Airport.

There are also three local airports that perform domestic flights: Mestia, Natakhtari and Telavi airports.