Air China to launch Tbilisi-Ürümqi flights starting this fall

The Chinese state airline Air China is set to enter the Georgian market with plans to commence regular flights three times a week between Tbilisi and Ürümqi starting this fall, the Ministry of Economy said on Monday.

The body added representatives from the airline informed Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Deputy Economy Minister of Georgia, about their expansion plans during a meeting earlier today.

We have agreed with Air China leaders to continue raising awareness of Georgia in China to attract more tourists. We hope to increase the number of Chinese cities with direct flights to Georgia, including Beijing and Shanghai”, the Deputy Minister said.

We will make every effort to develop the current strategic cooperation and trade relations between our countries, which will positively impact the overall economy, as well as the tourism industry and civil aviation”, she added.

Kvrivishvili also said the “successful conclusion” of negotiations with the company had been accelerated following the implementation of visa-free travel with China.

She added the signing of an agreement on strategic partnership between the two countries last year had led to “strengthened” trade and economic relations.