Georgian Airways is Looking to Launch India Flights With New Boeing 767

Georgian Airways is the flag carrier of Georgia. The airline has recently inducted its sole widebody aircraft- a Boeing 767. During the presentation ceremony of the new airliner, a senior executive highlighted the features of the aircraft, along with its deployment plans in South Asian countries like India, China, and Thailand.

Georgian Airways: Aiming at the India Market

Tbilisi-based Georgian Airways has taken the delivery of a Boeing 767-300 aircraft. This is currently the only widebody aircraft in the airline’s fleet. Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Lasha Davitashvili participated in the inauguration ceremony of the newly inducted aircraft.

Lasha discussed the growing civil aviation sector of Georgia, highlighting the 31% increase in passenger traffic from Georgian airports in the last fiscal year. The airports are now handling more than 2.5 million passengers annually.

According to the President of Georgian Airways Group, Tamaz Gaishvili, the new aircraft will be deployed on routes to South Asia. The airline is exploring possibilities of carrying out flights to India, China, and Thailand. With a widebody aircraft, it will have an edge over its competitors.

Along with the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, several other dignitaries were present at the event as follows:

• Deputy Minister of Economy- Mariam Kvrivishvili
• Director of Union of Georgian Airports- Irakli Karkashadze
• Head of Sakaeronavigation- Gocha Mezvrishvili
• General Manager of TAV Georgia- Tea Zakaradze

At present, Georgian Airways is connecting Georgia to Russia, Europe, and a few cities in the Western Gulf. It is operating from Tbilisi to 14 airports across the region.

About the New Boeing 767 of Georgian Airways

On 11 June, Georgian Airways received the delivery of its sole widebody aircraft. The Boeing 767-300 was ferried from Alliance Fort Worth International Airport (AFW) in the US to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) for delivery.

This B767, MSN 29390 has received its Georgian registration as 4L-GTR. It is a 22.4-year-old widebody jet, which started its service with Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines. Between 2002 and 2008, it operated for Skymark, following which it was transferred to Rossiya Airlines. The Russian carrier retired this jet in 2015.

In 2016, a US-based charter airline named Omni Air International received this aircraft and operated it until 2020. Now, it has been delivered to Airzena Georgian Airways.

Georgian Airways has a fleet of 7 aircraft, including 2 B737-700s, 2 B737-800s, 1 B767, and 2 Bombardier CRJ-200 jets. One of the CRJs is utilized by the Government of Georgia.

Georgia is a former CIS country, which officially ended its membership in 2009. The market between India and Central Asia is rapidly growing. Armenia Airways, the neighbor of Georgian Airways has recently announced the launch of Delhi flights.

IndiGo has announced the upgrade of all Central Asian services to daily flights. The largest carrier in India operates from Delhi to Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku. From 18 August, it will operate daily between Delhi and Tbilisi.

Conclusion

Georgian Airways has inducted a Boeing 767, through which it is looking to start flights to India, China, and Thailand. At present, IndiGo is the only airline connecting India to Georgia. China Southern Airlines connects Tbilisi to Urumqi. The presentation ceremony was attended by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

What do you think about the plans of Georgian Airways to enter into the India market? Discuss in the comment section.