Transit through Georgia Surpasses 2,000 Flights Daily Amid Middle East Airspace Closure The sky over Georgia has become one of the busiest transit routes between Europe and Asia after the closure of airspace over several Middle Eastern countries due to ongoing military conflicts in the region. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of transit flights passing through Georgian airspace, with estimates now reaching 1,500 to 2,000 flights per day. This level of traffic represents a historic milestone for the country’s aviation sector. Previously, an average of about 642 aircraft crossed Georgian airspace daily. However, the recent surge in traffic is attributed to airlines rerouting flights to avoid restricted or closed airspace in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, and the Persian Gulf states. As a result, Georgia has become a critical alternative pathway for commercial aviation, generating significant revenue for the nation. Airlines operating these routes pay navigation fees to the state-owned Sakaeronavigatsia, which manages the country’s airspace. According to the company’s financial report for 2024, the average fee for a single transit flight was 516 lari (approximately $189). With the current volume of traffic, the Georgian airspace could generate between $280,000 and $375,000 daily from transit flights alone. The increased demand has also prompted discussions about the long-term economic impact of this shift. Sakaeronavigatsia’s 2024 financial report noted that 234,293 flights passed through Georgian airspace, contributing $44.6 million in revenue. The company employs 844 staff, including 117 air traffic controllers, and its infrastructure relies on a network of radar stations across the country.#iran #middle_east #iraq #georgia #sakaeronavigatsia
