Georgian civil aviation authorities have reached an agreement with airline operator AC Air Georgia to extend its state contract for domestic passenger flights across the country. The founder of the airline, Amiran Mandzhavidze, confirmed that negotiations were finalized and formal signing of the contract renewal is expected shortly.
Under the current agreement, the airline is scheduled to operate regional routes until July 31. The extension ensures uninterrupted aerial connectivity between key tourist destinations and regional centers in Georgia.
Background and Tender History
AC Air Georgia, operating under the popular Vanilla Sky brand, has provided subsidized domestic flight services in Georgia since 2018 under previous state agreements. In 2024, state authorities launched two separate procurement tenders totaling over 23 million GEL to select an operator for domestic flight services. However, both tenders were cancelled after no competing air carriers submitted bids, leading officials to negotiate directly with the existing operator.
The domestic flight network plays a crucial role in Georgia's regional infrastructure, connecting mountain hubs like Svaneti and Racha with eastern Georgia and the Black Sea coast.
Current Domestic Routes and Fares
The airline continues to operate affordable subsidized routes connecting regional airfields across Georgia. Standard one-way ticket prices on the primary domestic routes remain set at the following rates:
- Natakhtari to Mestia: 90 GEL
- Natakhtari to Ambrolauri: 50 GEL
- Natakhtari to Batumi: 125 GEL
- Mestia to Kutaisi: 50 GEL
These subsidized flights provide essential transport options for both locals and international tourists traveling between Tbilisi (via Natakhtari airfield), Svaneti, Racha, Kutaisi, and Batumi.
