Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans for the construction and modernization of airport infrastructure in Telavi and Mestia. According to him, work should begin in October next year and be completed by the end of 2028.
The projects include the construction of a new terminal at Telavi Airport and the renovation of the terminal in Mestia. Kobakhidze noted that this effectively means creating new facilities that should improve transport accessibility in the regions.
However, the implementation of the projects is still in its early stages. The tender for the construction of Telavi Airport was supposed to be announced last year, but this did not happen. In addition, the project is not included in the state budget for 2026, which casts doubt on the start dates of the work.
Previously, the option of granting Telavi Airport international status was considered, but plans were subsequently revised in favor of domestic flights. An additional factor was the planned construction of an airport in Vaziani, which is expected to be launched by 2031.
Currently, only two airports in Georgia serve domestic flights — in Mestia and Ambrolauri. Flights are operated under a state contract, and domestic air travel remains a subsidized segment of the country's transport system.