Low-cost airlines to enter Georgian market in June

Georgia has conducted negotiations with low-cost carriers Ryanair, EasyJet and Air Berlin. Photo by N. Alavidze / Agenda.ge
Agenda.ge, 21 Apr 2015 - 18:38, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian travellers are being given an opportunity to fly to more destinations without having to pay sky-high fees that are usually associated with air travel.

The expected introduction of several low cost airlines to the Georgian market this June will make air travel from Georgia more affordable and ensure more flights are carried out to more destinations.

Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister Ketevan Bochorishvili announced the Georgian side had concluded negotiations with Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, British low-cost airline EasyJet and Germany’s second largest airline, Air Berlin. It is believed these three airlines will soon enter the Georgian market however results of the negotiations have not been announced.

The aim of negotiations was to add new destinations from Georgia and involve more airlines in the local industry.

"With some companies, negotiations are in the final stage. It's a never-ending process because our goal is to attract more and more low-cost airline companies to Georgia,” Bochorishvili said.

The talks were held within Routes Europe 2015, the largest regional gathering for aviation companies who are looking to develop or enhance their presence in Europe’s aviation market.

The event brings together a wide range of airlines, airports and tourism authorities, including low-cost, flag and national carriers from the whole region. It also offered participants the opportunity to meet with the most influential aviation professionals from across the world.

Georgia’s aviation industry was set to experience a boost next month thanks to the introduction of a new flight between Kutaisi, Georgia and Istanbul, Turkey.

From May 19, Turkey-based low cost airline Pegasus Airlines will being flights from Kutaisi International Airport three times per week – on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The price of tickets for the Kutaisi-Istanbul route will start from €29.99 (about 70 GEL).

Kutaisi Airport officials were currently negotiating with Spain, Turkey, Germany and other Asian countries regarding new flight services to the Georgian airport. Of them, Pegasus Airlines already agreed to launch flights to Kutaisi. Details regarding the other negotiations have not been announced.