Following the government’s decision to extend TAV Airports’ management contract for Tbilisi International Airport by five years, with a planned $150 million investment for expansion, discussions continue about the need for a new airport in Vaziani, scheduled to open in 2031.
Tamaz Gaiashvili, founder of Georgia Airways, told BM.GE in a phone interview that constructing a new airport is necessary, as the existing infrastructure cannot be further developed.
When asked if the current airport could meet standards or handle growing passenger traffic, Gaiashvili explained that the problem lies with the runway and the site’s location. “There’s no space for expansion. One end of the runway has Orkhevi, while the other has Lilo,” he said.
Regarding the timing of the new airport, he added: “That’s not my decision. It’s up to the government. If they extended TAV’s contract, it was obviously necessary.”
Gaiashvili also commented on TAV Airports’ performance, which has operated the airport since 2006: “I have no issues with their work. The company operates well. I haven’t been active in aviation for a long time, but there are no problems with their operations.”
