Expanded Kutaisi airport opens in Georgia’s west, now capable of serving 2.5 mln passengers

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A new terminal of Kutaisi International Airport has opened today, now allowing the airport capable of serving 2.5 million passengers annually, announces United Airports of Georgia.
Now the airport is six times larger than it was before. We are now able to serve 2.5 million passengers annually and 1,200 passengers at the same time. Passengers will enjoy improved services and improved infrastructure. They will be able to use self check-in and baggage drop services…[they will be able to enjoy] international food outlets”, said Director of the United Airports of Georgia Tamar Archuadze.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said that the number of airlines that operated at Kutaisi International Airport before the pandemic has almost been restored.
Before the pandemic, four airlines flew to 33 destinations from Kutaisi Airport, and this year, as of May, three airlines are already flying to 25 destinations, and this process continues following the opening of the market and overcoming the pandemic” Turnava said.
Following the expansion, the area of the Kutaisi International Airport has increased from 4,800 sq.m. to 30,000 sq.m.
The number of registration counters has increased from 10 to 18, of which two are baggage drop off, where passengers will be able to hand over their luggage after having registered online.
The number of border checkpoints has increased from six to 11 in the take-off zone, and from eight to 14 on the take-off side.
The airport now has seven gates, a green roof and a terrace.
Dutch firm UNStudio, which completed the terminal building of Kutaisi Airport in 2013, was responsible for the extension works together with Georgian architect and designer of United Airports of Georgia Mariam Karkarashvili.
The expansion of the airport started in 2017 and about 110 million GEL was invested.
The airport will employ about 1,200 people.

Travel After Coronavirus: The Lesser-Known European Cities To Visit First

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Being confined in mandatory isolation does different things to different people, but we all surf the same emotions of reflecting, reassessing and anticipating life on the other side. A new normal. For us at Culture Trip, part of that new normal will be centred on getting out and seeing places we’ve long been curious about – starting with lesser-known European cities.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is uniquely positioned, both geographically and culturally. Its culture intersects at the historical and progressive – with history in its Soviet Modernist structures, Eastern Orthodox churches and centuries-old forts, and innovation in its art and fashion scenes. The latter has influenced the global stage over the past couple of years, with many fashion designers and buyers showing interest in this city of 1.1 million that borders both Asia and Europe. Head to galleries like the Dmitri Shevardnadze National Gallery and The Georgian Museum of Fine Arts to scope out art that has inspired creativity in the city’s young designers, before trying a traditional dish – khachapuri with salty sulguni cheese – and taking cues from the locals by dipping in a sulphur bath.