Developing our country’s connectivity function, tapping into its transit potential is very important to us, Georgian Prime Minister said in his speech at the capsule-burying ceremony marking the launch of the construction of Kutaisi International Airport’s new runway. According to Irakli Kobakhidze, the development of airports is of special importance in this regard.

“Today, we are launching the construction of Kutaisi Davit Aghmashenebeli International Airport’s new 3.5-kilometer runway and aerodrome infrastructure. Consequently, this is a very important day not only for Kutaisi Airport, but also for the region and our country as a whole.

The new runway will be built in line with the highest international standards, and, being equipped with high-precision modern navigation light systems, it will be able to provide unlimited services to passenger and cargo aircraft of any size.

As phase one of the masterplan for the development of Kutaisi International Airport, the project will see the investment of 240 million GEL, more than all the investments made previously into the airport combined. Overall, so far 200 million has been invested in this airport, and now-under this project alone-240 million will be invested.

On the subsequent phase of the airport’s development, the passenger terminal will be broadened. As a result, the airport’s corridor capacity will increase from 1.7 million to 5 million”, - said the Head of Government.

He also pointed out that the growing dynamics of tourism and business visits best illustrate the country"s economic development and its increasing international significance.

“Statistics for September show yet another historical record with Kutaisi Airport serving 1.2 million passengers. Kutaisi Airport conducts 127 flights every week, of which 86 are Europe-bound, and of the 36 cities as flight destinations 28 are European. In addition, Kutaisi International Airport is one of the major employers in the region. Presently, it employs over 1,000 of our citizens. The airport is an enormous motivation for the local population, especially youth, encouraging them to master new vocations and become top-notch professionals.

Kutaisi International Airport makes an enormous contribution to the development of aviation, tourism, and economy in Imereti and Georgia as a whole. This is exactly why we pay great attention to the modernization of airport infrastructure, and we will continue doing so in the future. After the project’s completion, we will have a modern airport equipped in line with international standards that will further encourage tourism, consequently bolstering the country’s economic growth, and this will ultimately reflect in the prosperity of our population”, - said Prime Minister.

Together with the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and the Director of the United Airports of Georgia, he buried a symbolic capsule to mark the launch of construction.