Following new US sanctions, Iranian airlines operating in Georgia are expected to face restrictions, which could further reduce tourism revenue from Iran. Georgia received $19.9 million in tourism revenue from Iranian visitors this year, down by 65% from 2025. The decline has been attributed to the war involving Iran, which has also reduced tourism revenues from other Middle Eastern markets.
According to the National Bank of Georgia, more than $124 million in tourism revenue came from Iran in 2025. Despite the decline, Iran accounts for a relatively small share of Georgia’s total tourism income, at around 2.6%.
Visitor numbers have also fallen sharply. In the first half of 2026, the number of visits by Iranian tourists decreased by 49% year-on-year. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, Georgia recorded 29,397 visits from Iran in January-June, placing Iran 13th among Georgia’s source markets by visitor numbers.
On September 8, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 27 airlines, citing the Iranian authorities’ use of the aviation sector to transport weapons and illicit cargo. Five of the sanctioned airlines currently operate flights to Georgia. The Civil Aviation Agency said on September 10 that, as the expanded sanctions list includes airlines operating between Georgia and Iran, Georgia will act in full compliance with the international sanctions regime. The airlines currently operating flights from Tbilisi to Iran include Qeshm Air, Varesh Airlines, Sepehran Airlines and Fly Kish Airlines.
