Dieter J. F. Haselsteiner

Kutaisi Airport: Georgia's Rising Gateway

9 June 2026 | Blog #33

 

When talking about aviation in Georgia, most people immediately think of Tbilisi or perhaps Batumi by the Black Sea. Yet quietly and steadily, Kutaisi International Airport has developed into one of the country’s most important transport hubs - and arguably its most strategically positioned one. 

Now it is time to take a closer look at Georgia’s second-busiest airport. 

 

Kutaisi Airport: The Heart of Georgia’s Air Connectivity 

Kutaisi International Airport (IATA: KUT) has grown rapidly in recent years and handled approximately 1.7 million passengers in 2024, making it the second-largest airport in Georgia by passenger volume, behind only Tbilisi. 

While Georgia has four international airports — Tbilisi, Batumi, Sukhumi, and Kutaisi — Kutaisi offers one major geographical advantage over its competitors: location. 

Situated in the central-western part of the country, Kutaisi serves as an ideal gateway for travelers wishing to continue deeper into Georgia. From here, visitors can conveniently reach destinations such as: 

  • Tbilisi
  • Batumi
  • Mestia and the Svaneti region
  • Borjomi
  • Kutaisi itself
  • The vineyards of Kakheti
  • Mountain resorts across the Caucasus

This central positioning makes Kutaisi particularly attractive for inbound tourism and roundtrips through the country. 

 

A Historic City With Growing International Importance 

Kutaisi itself, home to around 120,000 inhabitants, is far more than just an airport city. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history stretching back several millennia. 

Over the past years, Georgia has increasingly established itself as a hidden gem for travelers looking for: 

  • impressive mountain scenery,
  • excellent cuisine,
  • affordable prices,
  • hospitable culture,
  • and a fascinating intersection between Europe and Asia.

Economic momentum has also contributed to rising travel demand. Georgia’s economy reportedly expanded by 7.5% in 2025, with around 5% growth forecast for 2026, underlining the country’s ongoing development and increasing relevance as a tourism and business destination. 

 

From Soviet-Era Airport to Modern Low-Cost Base 

Kutaisi Airport reopened in 2012 following extensive renovation and modernization works. Since then, the airport has evolved into the country’s primary low-cost aviation gateway. 

The airport currently operates with: 

  • one runway
  • measuring 2,500 meters
  • perfectly suited for short- and medium-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 series.

Recent infrastructure developments include: 

  • the opening of a new business lounge
  • the introduction of fast-track security services

These additions demonstrate that the airport is slowly moving beyond its purely low-cost origins and improving the passenger experience step by step. 

 

A Strong Focus on Ultra-Low-Cost Travel 

Kutaisi Airport is heavily shaped by the (ultra-)low-cost carrier model. 

The dominant airline at the airport is clearly Wizz Air, which operates more than 20 destinations across Europe from Kutaisi. The airline has played a crucial role in opening Georgia to affordable tourism and has effectively transformed Kutaisi into one of the most important low-cost gateways in the wider Caucasus region. 

Interestingly, there are currently no major European legacy carriers serving Kutaisi. Airlines from Europe that continue flying to Georgia generally focus exclusively on Tbilisi. 

Besides Wizz Air, several additional carriers are noteworthy: 

  • Pegasus Airlines connects Kutaisi with Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), offering valuable onward connections through Turkey and Europe.
  • FlyArystan has become an increasingly relevant player with services toward Kazakhstan.

The route network (see graph at the end of this article) also includes selected destinations in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan

Domestic connectivity remains very limited. Currently, the only scheduled domestic destination is Mestia, operated by Vanilla Sky Airlines. 

 

Ownership Structure: Different From Tbilisi and Batumi 

Kutaisi Airport is owned and operated by the United Airports of Georgia (UAG), which also manages the regional airports in: 

  • Mestia
  • Ambrolauri

This structure differs significantly from Georgia’s two other major international airports: 

  • Tbilisi
  • Batumi

Both are operated by TAV Georgia. 

 

What Could the Future Look Like? 

The future outlook for Kutaisi Airport appears remarkably positive. 

Georgia’s continuously growing tourism sector, strong economic growth and increasing international visibility provide excellent conditions for further expansion. 

Possible future developments could include: 

  • additional Wizz Air destinations,
  • higher frequencies on existing routes,
  • broader connectivity into Central Europe,
  • and potentially new airline entrants.

From a strategic point of view, airlines such as: 

  • flyDubai
  • Turkish Airlines

could represent logical future additions to Kutaisi’s route network, especially considering the airport’s growing catchment area and increasing relevance. 

 

A Rising Airport Worth Watching 

Back on 20 November 2025, I already featured Batumi Airport in my blog. Now, after taking a closer look at Kutaisi, one thing becomes evident: 

Kutaisi International Airport is no longer merely a secondary regional airport. 

Instead, it has become an increasingly important gateway between Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia — driven by low-cost travel, tourism growth and Georgia’s rising international profile. 

With further expansion likely over the coming years, KUT may only be at the beginning of its success story. 

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Photo Credit:
- www.flightsfrom.com
- Alexkom000