On September 11, at 10:30 AM, the 20th anniversary of TAV Georgia’s operations in Georgia was celebrated at Tbilisi International Airport. The official ceremony was attended by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the aviation sector, delegates from TAV Airports and Groupe ADP, as well as TAV Georgia’s business partners.
Speakers at the jubilee event included Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia; Tea Zakaradze, General Manager of TAV Georgia; Serkan Kaptan, CEO of TAV Airports; Franck Mereyde, Chairman of the Executive Committee of TAV Airports; H.E. Ali Kaan Orbay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Georgia; and H.E. Olivier Courteaud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Georgia.
Over the past 20 years, TAV Georgia, the operator of Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports, has invested a total of USD 230 million in the construction and development of the country’s two international gateways and contributed nearly GEL 500 million in state taxes. Today, the company employs approximately 1,800 people, representing significant human capital for Georgia’s aviation sector. According to official statistics, in the second quarter of 2025, TAV Georgia ranked among the top ten companies in Georgia in terms of foreign direct investment. TAV Georgia is a subsidiary of the international aviation holding TAV Airports, whose controlling stake is owned by the French aviation giant Groupe ADP.
“Twenty years ago, when TAV Georgia began its operations in the country, Tbilisi International Airport served only 500,000 passengers annually, while Batumi International Airport handled 30,000. This year, passenger numbers in Tbilisi will exceed 5.3 million, and in Batumi 1.2 million. These figures best illustrate the progress the company has achieved over the past two decades. This success has been possible thanks to the cooperation with our partners and government institutions, as well as the invaluable role of our team members,” stated Tea Zakaradze, General Manager of TAV Georgia.
“We are witnessing steady year-on-year growth in passenger flows at Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports. In response, the company is working on expansion projects. By way of example, at Tbilisi International Airport alone, TAV proposes an investment of USD 150 million to the state. This funding will be directed toward enlarging the existing terminal, developing infrastructure, and ultimately doubling the airport’s capacity,” stated Serkan Kaptan, CEO of TAV Airports.
“Groupe ADP and Georgia share a long history of cooperation, and it is important to emphasize that the French aviation group remains strongly committed to the future development of Georgia’s airports. Notably, Franco-Georgian collaboration in the field of aviation not only elevates the reputation of Georgia’s airports in international markets, but also introduces French expertise into the country – expertise that is associated with innovation and the highest standards of quality,” stated Franck Mereyde, Chairman of the Executive Committee of TAV Airports.
TAV Georgia was the first international project implemented by TAV Airports outside the borders of Türkiye. With the development of Tbilisi and Batumi International Airports, the company began a new chapter in its global history. Since then, TAV Airports has become one of the leading regional and international players, currently managing over 100 airports worldwide. A decisive milestone came in 2012, when the French aviation giant Groupe ADP acquired shares in TAV Airports, ultimately becoming the majority shareholder in 2017.
