Domestic flights in Georgia would be financially unviable without government subsidies, as commercial fares would be too expensive for many Georgian passengers, according to Irina Mgebrishvili, financial director of AK-Air Georgia.
Mgebrishvili said the cost of a one-way ticket to Mestia without subsidies ranges from $198 to $205. Operating a flight to Mestia currently costs around $6,600, while a flight to Batumi costs more than $6,800.
Under the current subsidy program, the airline operates eight weekly flights to Mestia—six from Natakhtari and two from Kutaisi—with average occupancy of around 95%. During the peak summer season, flights to Mestia, Ambrolauri and Batumi reach full capacity. Outside peak season, occupancy on Batumi and Ambrolauri routes falls to around 50–70%.
Mgebrishvili warned that without subsidies and consistently high passenger numbers, the airline would struggle to cover operating costs. The government spends more than GEL 20.2 million subsidizing domestic flights.
