In Q1 of 2023, 1.048 million passengers were transported by airline companies in Georgia, which is 49.9% higher compared to Q1 of 2022 and 3.3% higher compared to the corresponding pre-pandemic (Q1 of 2019) figure.
According to the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency, the number of passengers traveling to and from Georgian international airports was highest at Tbilisi (713,600), followed by Kutaisi (253,100) and Batumi (77,100), similar to the previous periods. However, despite significant YoY growth, the number of passengers did not recover to pre-pandemic levels for Tbilisi Airport (-11% compared to Q1 2019), while for Kutaisi and Batumi airports, the passenger numbers exceeded pre-pandemic numbers significantly.
The number of passengers traveling to and from domestic airports in Georgia exceeded the pre-pandemic (Q1 2019) volumes overall, however, the number of passengers using Ambrolauri Airport recorded a decline in Q1 of 2023 compared to Q1 of 2022.
PASSENGER FLIGHTS IN GEORGIAN AIRPORTS
The recovery rate of the number of passenger flights in Georgia was gradual and the seasonality of the recovery was also visible. In particular, after the easing of pandemic-related restrictions in Q3 of 2021, the number of flights recovered significantly, followed by a decline and further recovery in Q3 of 2022. In Q1 of 2023, the number of passenger flights almost recovered to the pre-pandemic number and reached 4.8 thousand flights, which is 37.1% higher compared to Q1 of 2022.
Notably, throughout the winter season (30 October 2022 – 25 March 2023), according to the schedule, regular flights to and from Georgian airports were provided by 41 airlines on 61 routes. In the same period, the average number of flights per week was 390, which is 6% lower compared to the schedule for the winter season of 2018-2019.
In the summer season of 2023 (26 March – 28 October 2023), 43 airline companies are scheduled to provide regular flights to and from Georgian airports, which is slightly higher compared to the winter season of 2022-2023. The total number of routes is scheduled to reach 88, which is 44.3% higher compared to the previous season, and 6.4% lower compared to the schedule for the summer season of 2019.
Significantly, in the summer season of 2023, the average number of weekly flights according to the schedule will reach 555, which is 42.3% higher compared to the winter season of 2022-2023 and 5.9% lower compared to the number of flights scheduled for the summer season of 2019.
HOTEL PRICE INDEX IN GEORGIA
In May 2023, in Georgia, the hotel price index increased by 12.0% compared to April 2023. The 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotel price index increased by 9.4%, while for guesthouses, the price index increased by 20.1%. The monthly HPI was the highest in Guria (36.7%) and Adjara (22.4%), lowest in Racha and Kvemo Kartli (0.0%).
In May 2023, compared to May 2022, hotel prices in Georgia increased by 6.6%. The prices of 3*, 4*, 5* hotels increased by 2.8% and the prices of guesthouses increased by 19.4%. The yearly HPI was the highest in Shida Kartli (23.7%) and lowest in Tbilisi (-2.8%).
THE AVERAGE HOTEL PRICES IN GEORGIA
In Georgia, the average cost of a room in a 3-star hotel was 166 GEL per night in May 2023, while the average cost of a room in a 4-star hotel in Georgia was 270 GEL per night and the average cost of a room in a guesthouse was 124 GEL per night.
The average cost of a room in a 5-star hotel in Georgia in May 2023 was 409 GEL per night. In Guria, the average price was 584 GEL, followed by Tbilisi – 515 GEL, Kakheti – 354 GEL, and Adjara – 369 GEL.
BASIC ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN GEORGIA
Footnotes:
1 Note that the flight schedules are published by the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency twice a year for Winter and Summer Seasons. The flight schedule for the winter season of 2018-2019 is provided here.
2 The flight schedule for the summer season of 2019 is provided here.
3 The flight schedule for the winter season of 2022-2023 is provided here.
4 The flight schedules for the summer season of 2023 are provided here.
