British Airways Resumes Direct London-Tbilisi Flights
British Airways has officially returned to the Georgian aviation market, operating its first direct flight between London Heathrow and Tbilisi International Airport after a decade-long pause. The airline will now offer four weekly flights, connecting the capitals of the UK and Georgia with the modern Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The return of the UK's flagship carrier marks a significant development for both tourism and business ties between the two countries. The first flight from London to Tbilisi arrived fully booked, a promising sign for the route’s potential success.
“After a 10-year break, British Airways is returning to Georgia and will operate direct flights four times a week starting today,” said Thea Zakaradze, General Manager of TAV Georgia, which manages Tbilisi International Airport. “A direct connection with Britain is very important—it brings convenience for travelers and strengthens Georgia’s position as an accessible destination for tourists and businesspeople alike.”
According to Zakaradze, this move is part of a broader expansion for Tbilisi Airport. “We will welcome eight new airlines during the summer navigation season, including EasyJet and Edelweiss Air,” she added.
Deputy Minister of Economy Mariam Kvrivishvili called the launch a “historic day for Georgia’s tourism and aviation industry,” emphasizing the importance of the new connection for increasing visitor numbers from the UK. “It is especially gratifying that the flight arrived with a full load, and it will return to London with the same. This already indicates that the new direct route will be successful,” she stated.
Kvrivishvili also announced large-scale marketing campaigns in the UK aimed at raising awareness of Georgia as a travel destination. “British Airways’ entry into the Georgian market is a strong message to the global tourism and aviation industries. We believe this will boost tourist flows, benefiting small, medium, and large businesses in the sector and contributing to economic development.”
TAV Georgia, which has operated in the country for 20 years, has invested around $230 million in the development of Tbilisi and Batumi airports. Currently, the company employs more than 1,700 people and continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing Georgia’s global connectivity.
