Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Wednesday hailed the launch of the first direct flight between Tbilisi and Shanghai as a historic milestone for Georgia’s aviation sector, noting that the inaugural flight arrived with a remarkable 98% load factor.

In her remarks, Kvrivishvili emphasised that years of joint efforts had led to this tangible success.

“Today is a very important day for Georgia’s aviation industry. Years of joint efforts have produced tangible and successful results”, she said.

The historic route is operated by China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s largest airlines, which will provide direct flights between Tbilisi and Shanghai three times a week - on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The Economy Minister described the new route as another demonstration of the strategic partnership between Georgia and China, which translates into concrete economic activity, tourism development, and closer bilateral relations.

“This is truly another important demonstration of what strategic partnership means, how strategic partnership translates into economic activity, tourism, direct flights, and how all of this strengthens our country’s economy. I am especially pleased that each of us is participating in this historic day, because this is the first regular flight operated from our capital and, later today, the first flight in the Shanghai direction, which is effectively the longest-distance route”, Kvrivishvili noted.

The decision to launch the route was reached during Kvrivishvili’s meeting with the leadership of China Eastern Airlines in April during her official visit to China.

She further expressed particular satisfaction with the high occupancy rate on the first flight, attributing it in large part to active marketing campaigns by the Georgian government and the National Tourism Administration in the Chinese market.

“On the one hand, this is a very important and remarkable achievement, but on the other hand, what made me especially happy was that the flight arrived practically full - with a 98% load factor. This is a great success for the airline, its management, its leadership team, and I also believe it is a major success for our country”, the Economy Minister said.

Kvrivishvili also noted that annual investments of GEL 7 million are being made to promote Georgia as an attractive destination in China.

“This is most likely and to a large extent also the result of the active marketing campaigns carried out by our government, particularly the National Tourism Administration, in China. Every year, investments worth GEL 7 million are being made to increase awareness of Georgia as an attractive tourism destination in China”, she concluded.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Zhou Qian, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, He Xiaoqian, China Eastern Airlines Vice President, and representatives of Georgia’s aviation and airport sectors.