The Georgian government is preparing to announce a new tender for domestic air services in 2026, as the existing contract with AK-Air Georgia has been extended to ensure uninterrupted operations. The information was confirmed by Irina Mgebrishvili, Financial and Administrative Manager at AK-Air Georgia.
Mgebrishvili stated that the current agreement has been extended for six months until June 30, 2026. During this period, AK-Air Georgia will continue operating domestic flights under unchanged conditions, maintaining the same routes, flight frequency, aircraft and ticket prices stipulated in the 2025 contract.
She explained that the short-term extension reflects the government’s intention to prepare a new competitive tender in spring 2026. The process is expected to be preceded by a market price study, which has not yet been announced but is anticipated within the next one to two months. To avoid disruptions in service, the new tender would need to be launched by mid-April 2026, ahead of the contract’s expiration.
Mgebrishvili noted that negotiations with the authorities also covered the possible expansion of the domestic flight network. Under the planned tender, operators would be required to deploy at least two aircraft and multiple flight crews, compared to the current requirement of a single aircraft. Additional routes are also under consideration.
She emphasized that AK-Air Georgia agreed to the extension because the project remains financially sustainable. Pricing and flight frequency were stabilized in early 2025, allowing the company to continue operations without financial strain. The airline remains interested in continuing flights from Natakhtari Airport.
The Georgian Airports Association has confirmed the extension of AK-Air Georgia’s operating contract for domestic routes through mid-2026. The airline has been providing domestic air services in Georgia since 2018, with contracts renewed periodically.
In 2024, the government announced two tenders for domestic flights worth more than GEL 23 million but both were canceled due to a lack of bidders. The upcoming tender is expected to address these challenges by revising conditions and expanding route options.
