Tbilisi International Airport
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| Tbilisi International Airport | |
|---|---|
 Gmaisuradze15 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source | |
| Name | Tbilisi International Airport |
| Iata | TBS |
| Icao | UGTB |
| Type | Public |
| Operator | TAV Airports Holding |
| City | Tbilisi |
| Country | Georgia |
Tbilisi International Airport is a major airport located in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia (country), serving as a key gateway to the country and a hub for Georgian Airways. The airport is situated near the city of Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is operated by TAV Airports Holding, a leading airport operator in Turkey and the Middle East. The airport has undergone significant renovations and expansions, with the help of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank, to improve its facilities and services. The airport is also an important cargo hub, with DHL Aviation and TNT Airways operating regular cargo flights.
● Overview
Tbilisi International Airport is a public airport, serving as a base for Georgian Airways, MyWay Airlines, and Air Georgia. The airport has a single terminal building, which was renovated and expanded in 2007, with the assistance of USAID and World Bank. The airport's runway is equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), allowing for safe landings in low-visibility conditions. The airport is also equipped with Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, provided by Thales Group and Indra Sistemas. The airport's proximity to Baku, Yerevan, and Ankara makes it an important hub for Caucasus region.
● History
The history of Tbilisi International Airport dates back to 1952, when it was opened as a small airport serving the city of Tbilisi. In the 1980s, the airport underwent significant expansions, with the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the runway, with the help of Aeroflot and Soviet Air Forces. After Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the airport was renamed Tbilisi International Airport and began to operate as an international airport, with flights to Moscow, Istanbul, and Athens. In 2005, the airport was privatized, and TAV Airports Holding took over the operation of the airport, investing heavily in its renovation and expansion, with the support of European Union and International Finance Corporation.
● Facilities
Tbilisi International Airport has a single terminal building, which was renovated and expanded in 2007, with the assistance of Bechtel Group and Hochtief. The terminal building has a total area of 25,000 square meters and is equipped with modern facilities, including check-in counters, baggage claim areas, and duty-free shops, operated by Dufry and World Duty Free. The airport also has a VIP lounge, operated by Priority Pass, and a business lounge, operated by DragonPass. The airport's facilities are designed to handle up to 2.5 million passengers per year, with the potential for further expansion, with the help of Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank.
● Airlines and Destinations
Tbilisi International Airport is served by several airlines, including Georgian Airways, MyWay Airlines, Air Georgia, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines. The airport offers flights to several destinations, including Moscow, Istanbul, Baku, Yerevan, Ankara, Amsterdam, Paris, and Vienna. The airport is also a hub for cargo flights, with DHL Aviation and TNT Airways operating regular flights to Europe and Asia, with the support of Boeing and Airbus. The airport's strategic location makes it an important hub for Caucasus region, with connections to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.
● Statistics
In 2020, Tbilisi International Airport handled over 2.3 million passengers, with a growth rate of 10% compared to the previous year, according to Airports Council International. The airport also handled over 10,000 tons of cargo, with a growth rate of 15% compared to the previous year, according to International Air Transport Association. The airport's passenger traffic is expected to continue growing, driven by the increasing demand for travel to and from Georgia (country), with the support of World Tourism Organization and United Nations World Tourism Organization. The airport's cargo traffic is also expected to grow, driven by the increasing demand for cargo services in the Caucasus region, with the help of Panalpina and Kuehne + Nagel.
● Ground Transportation
Tbilisi International Airport is located about 17 kilometers southeast of the city center of Tbilisi, and is accessible by taxi, bus, and car rental services, operated by Hertz and Avis. The airport is also connected to the city center by a highway, which was constructed with the help of Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank. The airport's parking facilities can accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles, and are operated by Park 'N Fly and ParkMe. The airport is also planning to introduce a rail link to the city center, with the support of European Union and International Finance Corporation, which will further improve the airport's ground transportation options, with the help of Siemens and Alstom.