Georgian Economy Minister, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority President review cooperation

Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the founder of the Emirates Group, on Tuesday discussed the prospects of deepening cooperation in the aviation sector.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing World Governments Summit in Dubai, the parties reviewed the possibilities of scheduling more direct flights from Dubai to Georgia, which would strengthen the country’s tourism and aviation sector, the Economy Ministry said.

Al Maktoum praised the Georgian Government’s “effective and correct” decision to simplify the visa policy with the United Arab Emirates, after which the visa-free travel regime was established for Georgian citizens in the UAE, stressing the importance of Georgia’s “exceptionally liberal air policy”, which “positively effects” on the number of tourist flows and increase in flights.

Photo via Economy Ministry

The conversation touched on the increase of investments from the Emirates in Georgia, as well as the opportunities for the UAE’s leading companies to expand in Georgia's aviation business, with the sides agreeing to continue “active cooperation” in this direction.

The Economy Ministry highlighted that the number of passengers from the UAE to Georgia had exceeded half a million in 2023, with four airlines flydubai, Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operating 50 direct flights per week.