First airplane with PM on board lands at restored runway in Georgia’s Racha region

Georgia’s increasing its tourism opportunities by creating access to hard-to-reach parts of Georgia, and one example of this is today’s opening of a new runway at airfield in rural Racha.

The first plane with Georgia’s Prime Minister on the board landed on the new runway at Ambrolauri airfield in Racha, bringing VIP passengers to the region described as an untouched gem of Georgia.

New runway is already ready to receive the airplanes, while the airfield itself is due to become operational next year. Photo by the PM's press office. 

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili heralded the opening of the new runway, which was built in a very quick timeframe.

One month ago when I came here this was just a field but today there is a modern airfield here. Amrbolauri airfield will bring new opportunities to the region and for local people,” said Kvirikashvili.

The new runway, which measures 1,100m long and 30m wide, can receive small planes, such as L410 aircrafts carrying about 19 passengers. Photo by the PM's press office. 

Construction of a terminal at the airport was due to be completed later this year and once operational, Ambrolauri airfield will be a small but modern airport that meeting international standard.

Kvirikashvili said the flights between capital Tbilisi and Ambrolauri airfield will take about an hour and they will operate at all times of the year, weather dependent.

Flights between capital Tbilisi and Ambrolauri airfield will take about an hour. Photo by the PM's press office. 

He believed the updated airport will bring more tourists to the region, which is typically hard to access, and bring money into the local economy.

The [new airfield] is important for tourism development as it brings new opportunities for the local population. Soon when more tourist infrastructure is developed we will see many more tourists in Racha. New hotels will be built here and winter resorts will also be developed soon,” said the PM.

Kvirikashvili also promised to improve the roads in Racha-Lechkhumi and Svaneti regions. This would benefit locals and make these regions easier to visit for guests.

The next step is to develop roads, especially the Gomi-Sachkhere-Racha section of road. We will also develop Shovi and Utsera resorts too,” promised Kvirikashvili.

Last year a group of specialists from the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency studied the condition of Georgia’s inactive airfields, heliports and runways in different parts of the country to determine their viability for future use. From this, the GCAA said airfields had the potential to be revived.

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

As of today three international airports operate in Georgia:

• Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport
• Batumi Alexander Kartveli International Airport
• Kutaisi International Airport

Three regional airports also perform domestic flights. These airports are in:

• Mestia
• Natakhtari
• Telavi