In 2024, Georgia’s air transport sector saw substantial growth, underpinned by notable increases in passenger numbers, cargo transport, and airport operations. The National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) reported impressive year-on-year figures across various indicators, reflecting an expanding aviation market in the country.
Passenger and Flight Statistics
Georgia’s air travel industry experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic. In total, 644.5 thousand passengers were transported by air, marking a 1.8-fold increase compared to the previous year. This surge reflects the recovery of the sector post-pandemic and a growing demand for air travel in the region. The passenger turnover reached 1,766.2 million passenger-kilometers, a figure that doubled the previous year’s performance. This metric highlights the rise in both the frequency and distance of flights operated.
Georgian airports saw a notable 23.9% increase in passenger traffic, with 7.44 million passengers served in total. Specifically, 3.71 million passengers arrived, reflecting a 24.2% growth, and 3.73 million passengers departed, showing a 23.5% increase in departures. The fact that 94% of this traffic was attributed to regular flights suggests a well-established and efficient commercial air service network.
The total number of commercial flights reached 30.3 thousand, an 18.9% increase, indicating more frequent connectivity and a growing willingness among airlines to invest in the Georgian market.
Cargo and Freight Operations
The cargo sector also demonstrated strong growth, with 269.6 thousand tons of goods transported by air in 2024, representing a 20.3% increase from the previous year. This indicates a booming demand for air freight, especially considering the increased emphasis on rapid delivery times in global trade. The freight turnover soared by 43.6% year-on-year to reach 611.5 million ton-kilometers, suggesting that the distances over which freight is transported are also increasing, alongside higher volumes.
Georgian airports handled 26.2 thousand tons of cargo and mail, with an impressive 86.7% inbound and 13.3% outbound, indicating the country’s role as a key transit hub. The total number of cargo flights increased dramatically by 2.1-fold, to 2.2 thousand flights, further emphasizing the growing importance of Georgia as a logistics and transportation hub.
Aviation Fleet and Infrastructure
The growth in the aviation sector is mirrored by the expansion of Georgia’s aviation fleet and infrastructure. According to the Georgian Civil Aircraft Registry, the number of registered aircraft rose by 16.7%, reaching a total of 70 aircraft in 2024. Notably, 78.6% of these aircraft were passenger planes, while the remaining 21.4% were cargo aircraft. This balance indicates Georgia’s dual role in catering to both passenger and cargo air transport needs.
The passenger fleet is largely made up of smaller aircraft, with 76.4% having fewer than 50 seats, making it more suited for regional routes. However, 12.7% of the fleet comprised aircraft with 151–250 or more seats, indicating a capacity for longer and larger international flights.
Infrastructure-wise, Georgian airports operated 6 runways, 58 checkpoints, 25 passenger gates, and 1.9 thousand parking spaces for private vehicles. These facilities suggest that the country's airport infrastructure is scaling in line with increasing air traffic, although there may be room for further expansion to accommodate the rising demand in the future.
Conclusion
The growth of Georgia’s air transport sector in 2024 is a positive sign of the country’s expanding role in both regional and international air travel. The significant increases in passenger numbers, freight volumes, and the expansion of aviation infrastructure point to a healthy, thriving sector. As passenger and cargo transport continue to rise, Georgia’s airports and fleet will likely see further investment and development to meet future demands.
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