Former Kutaisi Deputy Mayor appointed head of United Airports of Georgia

Irakli Karkashadze, the former Deputy Mayor of the western Georgian city of Kutaisi, has been appointed as the new Director of the United Airports of Georgia, the national body announced on Tuesday.

Karkashadze has replaced Tamar Archuadze, who served in the position since January 2020, and said his “main goal” was to “further strengthen” the regulatory institution.

"The United Airports of Georgia needs new opportunities. We should be a bridge between the Georgian aviation industry and global markets”, he said in comments.

“Special attention will be paid to the development of the Georgian airline industry as a commercially profitable business and, of course, to Kutaisi International Airport, which has great potential and future. This process will be consistent, systematic, and focused on continuous development", the new Director added.

Karkashadze also said he would work with the Ministry of Economy to "further develop the airline industry in Georgia and promote economic growth". 

"My main motivation will be to attract as many airlines as possible, because more direct flights mean more tourists, which is one of the main contributors to the development of our country's economy", the official pointed out.

For her part, Archuadze has joined the Supervisory Board of the United Airports of Georgia.