Tbilisi International Airport expansion underway: French aviation giant Groupe ADP to invest over USD 150m in Georgia

TAV Georgia, the operating company of Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports, is set to inject 150 million US dollars into a major expansion project. According to TAV Georgia, the initiative will double the annual capacity of Tbilisi International Airport, scaling it up from 5 million to 10 million passengers.

“The investment project encompasses the expansion of terminal and airfield infrastructure, the modernisation of advanced technological and operational systems, and the further enhancement of passenger service to international standards. The project, running from 2026 to 2028, will boost Tbilisi International Airport’s annual capacity to 10 million passengers. This expansion of the country’s main gateway responds to a sharp rise in passenger numbers over recent years. In 2025, the airport served a record-breaking 5.4 million passengers, effectively maxing out its current design capacity.

Expanding the airport is essential to meet growing demand, maintain high service quality, and build the infrastructure needed for the nation’s aviation sector to grow.

Under the scope of the project:

• The number of passenger boarding bridges will double, increasing to 10;
• Seven new remote aircraft stands will be constructed;
• Nine new check-in desks will be added to the terminal;
• The passport control zone will expand to feature 24 immigration counters;
• Two new baggage carousels will be installed;
• Existing passenger areas will be refurbished, creating new retail, dining, and business lounge spaces, with a particular emphasis on promoting Georgian cuisine and local products;
• The parking facilities adjacent to the terminal will be expanded.

The project will strengthen Tbilisi International Airport’s operations, improve service quality, create a more modern, secure, and comfortable environment for travellers, and handle rising international passenger traffic efficiently.

The project is being delivered under the framework of an agreement signed on January 15, 2025, between TAV Georgia and the United Airports of Georgia (UAG), a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Consequently, TAV Georgia’s concession for Tbilisi International Airport has been extended until 2032, with the company committing to double capacity through an investment programme exceeding USD 150 million.

In accordance with the contract, the United Airports of Georgia has already received a one-off upfront fee of USD 25 million. Furthermore, upon the project’s completion, the UAG’s annual revenue from Tbilisi International Airport is projected to approximately triple compared to current figures. The agreement also stipulates that the operating company will fund an airline marketing support programme, which will foster the development of new flight paths, attract international carriers, and further reinforce Georgia’s global aviation connectivity,” the statement read.

TAV Georgia is a subsidiary of TAV Airports, a member of the French Groupe ADP, which has operated in Georgia since 2005 and has managed Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports for over 20 years.

“During this period, the company has executed numerous major infrastructure projects in Georgia totalling 250 million USD, making it one of the largest employers in the Georgian aviation sector today. The Tbilisi International Airport expansion project stands as one of the largest-scale investment initiatives in the history of Georgian aviation. It will significantly strengthen the country’s global connectivity, enhance Georgia’s tourism and transit potential, facilitate the entry of new airlines and routes, and lay a solid foundation for the long-term development of the country’s main international hub,” the company stated.