Ministry of Economy: “Passenger traffic at airports has increased by 430% since 2012.”
Verdict: FactCheck concludes that the Ministry of Economy’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
Passenger traffic at Georgia’s three international airports totalled 1.4 million in 2012 and rose by 430% to 7.4 million in 2024. Growth varied by airport: Tbilisi Airport increased by 290%, Batumi Airport by 463% and Kutaisi Airport by more than 13,000%.
Kutaisi Airport reopened in September 2012 after reconstruction with budget airline Wizz Air beginning operations. The base year and low-cost fares led to rapid growth. The government classified Kutaisi Airport under non‑targeted expenditures in May 2013.
Whilst the Ministry’s statement compares figures with 2012, the growth did not begin solely in 2013. Even during the United National Movement government, Tbilisi and Batumi airports recorded significant annual increases.
Considering that the numerical data are correct but important details were omitted, FactCheck concludes that the Ministry of Economy’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
Analysis
The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development published a post on social media stating: “The year 2024 was a year of unprecedented growth and development for Georgia’s aviation industry. The country’s airports served a historic high of over 7.4 million passengers. Passenger traffic has increased by 430% since 2012 as a result of effective sector management, the government’s sound strategy and consistent development.
Georgia has a total of three international airports: Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Tbilisi Airport served 4.8 million passengers, Kutaisi Airport 1.7 million and Batumi Airport 952,000 in 2024 according to the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency.
Graph 1: Passenger Traffic at Airports (Thousands of Passengers)
Source: Georgian Civil Aviation Agency
Total passenger traffic across the three airports increased by 430% as compared to 2012, including a 290% rise at Tbilisi Airport, 463% at Batumi Airport and more than 13,000% at Kutaisi Airport. Kutaisi Airport’s share, 0.9% in 2012, grew to 23% by 2024. Kutaisi Airport reopened in September 2012 after reconstruction and its popularity was boosted by the low-cost Hungarian airline Wizz Air which made travel from Kutaisi to several European capitals possible for a few dozen euros. The base year and favourable fare policy were the two main drivers of this growth. Kutaisi Airport served more passengers than Batumi Airport in 2018, securing second place, which it has maintained ever since, except in 2021.
Wizz Air holds a 17% market share as of 2024, making it the largest carrier. Wizz Air served more passengers than Turkey’s two airlines, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, combined.
Passenger traffic growth at the airports did not start in 2013. TAV has operated Tbilisi Airport since October 2005 and Batumi Airport since May 2007. Traffic at Tbilisi Airport increased by 115% from 567,000 to 1.2 million passengers between 2006 and 2012. Traffic at Batumi Airport grew by 109%, from 81,000 to 169,000 passengers between 2008 and 2012.
Whilst the figures cited in the Ministry’s post are numerically accurate, it should be noted that passenger traffic was also growing under the United National Movement when comparing with the previous government’s period. Additionally, Kutaisi Airport made a significant contribution to overall growth, despite being classified as a non‑targeted expenditure in May 2013. Considering that the numerical data are correct but important details were omitted, FactCheck concludes that the Ministry of Economy’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
