Georgian delegation meets representatives of United Airlines for talks on direct US-Georgia flights

Georgia has begun talks with United Airlines to launch direct US-Georgia flights. 

United Airports of Georgia Director Giorgi Chogovadze and a Georgian delegation headed by Minister of Economy Natia Turnava met with representatives of United Airlines in Chicago yesterday.      

Launching direct flights with our main strategic partner, the USA, is another positive step forward in terms of political and economic cooperation”, Chogovadze said.

Our strategy is for Georgia to become a regional centre of aviation, tourism and culture," said Chogovadze.

Turnava said that direct flights to the US are particularly important for the country's economy.

The World Tourism Organization says that American tourists are the second highest-spending in the world in terms of travel expenses. 

They spend about $135 billion a year.

Not only are flights politically important to us, but this will also be profitable for the US as Georgia is truly a logistical regional hub," Turnava said.

Georgia is the only country in the region where the aviation market has grown at an unprecedented rate in recent years, with a growth rate increase of 24% over the past six years”, Chogovadze said. 

He also added that in 2018 the airports of Georgia served 5,033,119 passengers – nearly four times more than they did 7 years ago.

Chogovadze said increasing interest in the country’s aviation market is supported by Georgia's liberal civil aviation policy, launching direct flights and the entry of new airlines.

After meeting with United Airlines, negotiations with Delta Air Lines are planned in Atlanta.