Tbilisi International Airport expansion underway: French aviation giant Groupe ADP to invest over USD 150m in Georgia
TAV Georgia, the operating company of Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports, is set to inject 150 million US dollars into a major expansion project. According to TAV Georgia, the initiative will double the annual capacity of Tbilisi International Airport, scaling it up from 5 million to 10 million passengers.
“The investment project encompasses the expansion of terminal and airfield infrastructure, the modernisation of advanced technological and operational systems, and the further enhancement of passenger service to international standards. The project, running from 2026 to 2028, will boost Tbilisi International Airport’s annual capacity to 10 million passengers. This expansion of the country’s main gateway responds to a sharp rise in passenger numbers over recent years. In 2025, the airport served a record-breaking 5.4 million passengers, effectively maxing out its current design capacity.
Expanding the airport is essential to meet growing demand, maintain high service quality, and build the infrastructure needed for the nation’s aviation sector to grow.
Under the scope of the project:
The project will strengthen Tbilisi International Airport’s operations, improve service quality, create a more modern, secure, and comfortable environment for travellers, and handle rising international passenger traffic efficiently.
The project is being delivered under the framework of an agreement signed on January 15, 2025, between TAV Georgia and the United Airports of Georgia (UAG), a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Consequently, TAV Georgia’s concession for Tbilisi International Airport has been extended until 2032, with the company committing to double capacity through an investment programme exceeding USD 150 million.
In accordance with the contract, the United Airports of Georgia has already received a one-off upfront fee of USD 25 million. Furthermore, upon the project’s completion, the UAG’s annual revenue from Tbilisi International Airport is projected to approximately triple compared to current figures. The agreement also stipulates that the operating company will fund an airline marketing support programme, which will foster the development of new flight paths, attract international carriers, and further reinforce Georgia’s global aviation connectivity,” the statement read.
TAV Georgia is a subsidiary of TAV Airports, a member of the French Groupe ADP, which has operated in Georgia since 2005 and has managed Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports for over 20 years.
“During this period, the company has executed numerous major infrastructure projects in Georgia totalling 250 million USD, making it one of the largest employers in the Georgian aviation sector today. The Tbilisi International Airport expansion project stands as one of the largest-scale investment initiatives in the history of Georgian aviation. It will significantly strengthen the country’s global connectivity, enhance Georgia’s tourism and transit potential, facilitate the entry of new airlines and routes, and lay a solid foundation for the long-term development of the country’s main international hub,” the company stated.
Other News
Georgia sees near 20% surge in vessel tonnage at national ports, confirms Maritime Chief Ivane Abashidze
17.07.2026.18:00
“According to data from the first six months of 2026, the total tonnage of vessels arriving at Georgian ports has increased by approximately 20% compared to the same period in 2025,” announced Ivane Abashidze, Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
He emphasised that this milestone was achieved through close cooperation between the public and private sectors, alongside a significant boost in operational efficiency.
“Of particular note are the dredging operations and the seamless functioning of the Maritime Single Window system, which has slashed bureaucratic clearance procedures for vessels from 24 hours to a mere one hour,” Abashidze noted.
“This result demonstrates that vessel delays at Georgian ports are falling daily. Crucially, we are seeing a steady rise in both the total tonnage and capacity of these vessels, which in turn is directly reflected in increased cargo throughput,” the Maritime Chief added.
According to the Maritime Transport Agency, the gross tonnage (GT) of vessels handled at Georgian ports in the first six months of 2026 grew by 19% compared to the same period last year, reaching 10.7 million GT.