Flight prices from Georgia to Abu Dhabi have tripled following the cancellation of Wizz Air’s Kutaisi-Abu Dhabi route, according to Lasha Berekashvili, founder of Travel to Georgia. He told BM.GE that this change has significantly affected both outbound and inbound tourism.
“Previously, we paid 200–300 GEL for a round-trip ticket from Kutaisi to Abu Dhabi. Now, the same route costs over USD 350–550,” Berekashvili said. “Demand has also dropped, we used to have groups of 60 or 80 people, and now we struggle to fill even one group.” He noted that the canceled flight was among the busiest, sometimes operating twice daily, and its loss deprived Kutaisi Airport of its role as a regional hub.
Berekashvili criticized state agencies for failing to take timely action to maintain the route or attract alternative low-cost carriers. “Three months was enough time for the government to negotiate with other airlines. It was possible to keep this route, but no effective steps were taken,” he said, adding that the sector has received no information on state-level negotiations.
The tourism sector representative emphasized that the Kutaisi-Abu Dhabi connection was important not only for Georgian travelers but also for tourists from Gulf countries. He also highlighted the importance of the Vienna route, noting that around 30% of Kutaisi’s visitors arrive from the Austrian capital. “The Vienna flight is vital, it serves both Georgian emigrants and European tourists, and no other city can replace it,” Berekashvili added.
