"United Airports of Georgia" announced a tender for the construction of a passenger terminal for the future airport in Telavi, valued at 13.2 million lari. The new facility is designed for approximately 50,000 passengers per year. Contractors with proven experience will be admitted to participate: over the past four years, the company must have built at least one facility of similar complexity. Applications will be accepted from September 25 to 29, and the tender winner must complete the work no later than 21 months after signing the contract.
The project to restore air communication with Kakheti is being implemented with a significant delay from the original schedule and in a reduced format. Initially, the authorities planned to create an international airport in Telavi, but later abandoned this idea, leaving only domestic flights. The government explains the decision by plans to build a large aviation hub in Vaziani, which should become operational in 2031. According to the authorities, after its launch, an international airport in Kakheti will be economically unfeasible.
The start of construction of the terminal and runway was announced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze back in June 2024, promising to complete the project in 2025. However, work never began, and funding was not even provided in the budget for 2026. Now, the authorities expect to start construction in October and complete it by the end of 2028. The project was developed by Khmaladze Architects, the bureau of the famous Georgian architect Giorgi Khmaladze, author of the futuristic McDonald's building in Batumi.