From April 16, airspace over the resort town of Abastumani will be closed to aircraft, according to a journalistic investigation by Radio Liberty.
The report says the restriction will apply within a 52 km diameter zone, affecting both passenger and cargo flights. The area is part of adjusted air routes over Georgia.
State agencies have said the decision is linked to the protection of the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory, which requires clear sky conditions for observations. The observatory’s director confirmed that the institution has long requested adjustments to air traffic routes.
However, aviation industry sources cited in the investigation say the change may be connected to private interests in the area, a claim not independently verified.
The investigation also states that the restricted zone covers roughly 2,000 sq. km, extending from near the Turkish-Georgian border into southern Georgia. It adds that the restriction is expected to shift flight routes northward and may increase flight times and operational costs for airlines.
The report states that documentation from aviation authorities allows limited exceptions for flights taking off or landing in the area.
It further notes that several properties and infrastructure in Abastumani are linked to businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, including a helipad, though these claims are based on publicly cited investigative sources.
Radio Liberty says sources within state agencies expect the rerouting of air traffic to increase costs for airlines, which could eventually affect ticket prices or transit routes through Georgia.
The observatory director, meanwhile, said the restriction aligns with the institution’s long-standing request to reduce air traffic over the site, but added that he was not informed in advance about the timing of the final decision.
