Turkey’s TAV Airports has signed an agreement with the Government of Georgia to increase the terminal capacity at Tbilisi Airport (TBS) to more than 10 million passengers annually. The investment will be in the order of USD150 million and will also extend TAV’s concession period until the end of 2031 from the previous end date of January 2027.

The deal comes on the back of strong traffic growth at TBS, which has raised overcapacity concerns at the gateway serving the capital of Georgia. The country sits in the Caucasus region, a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Through the agreement, TAV Airports, a member of France’s Groupe ADP, can now advance the next phase of development at TBS, with the project planned to be completed as early as 2028. The contract extension ties in with the construction of a new international airport in Vaziani, about 25km from Tbilisi, that is expected to replace TBS from 2031. It will have a capacity of at least 18 million passengers per year.

Limited-time Opportunity

The window of opportunity for TAV—which has a global footprint at more than 100 airports in more than 30 countries—is less than six years, but that appears enough to warrant the USD150 million investment at TBS. In the 20 years since the Turkish operator has held the concession (from 2005), annual traffic grew almost 10-fold from 540,000 to more than 5.4 million in 2025. The annual compound traffic growth has been 12.6%.

Today, 63 airlines fly from TBS to 71 destinations, connecting Georgia with the rest of the world. According to TAV, the gateway also “stands out as the leading airport in the region in terms of passenger satisfaction and sustainability.”

TAV Airports CEO Serkan Kaptan commented: “To date, we have invested more than USD230 million in Georgia, and with this new investment, Tbilisi will strengthen its position as a hub. We are proud of past achievements and are committed to contributing further to the growth of Georgia.”

The country, bordered by Russia to the north, holds a special place in TAV’s history, as it was the company’s first step in becoming a global brand. “During the past 20 years, in collaboration with our stakeholders, we have managed to develop Tbilisi Airport as a hub in the region,” said Kaptan. TAV also operates Batumi Airport (BUS) in Georgia.

Extra Capacity and Comfort

The new investment will add another 19,500 square meters to the existing terminal area of 37,500 square meters, and the number of passenger bridges will double to 10, while seven new remote parking stands will be added. Inside the terminal, 10 new check-ins, 24 passport control counters, and two baggage carousels will be added. A new commercial area will also be created, focused on showcasing Georgian cuisine and products.

Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, described TBS as “one of the country's most important strategic infrastructure facilities,” playing a key role in the development of the economy and tourism. He said: “The significance of the airport's expansion becomes even more evident given that 2025 was a record year for the development of tourism and aviation in Georgia. Last year, the country recorded 5.5 million tourist visits, which is a historic high.”

Kobakhidze added that Georgia was “creating conditions where investment, innovation, and high standards align and where the state acts as a guarantor of stability and fair rules.” He said: “This approach allows us, through future-oriented steps, to strengthen the country's role in international aviation and ensure sustainable benefits for every citizen.”