2018-05-18
Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I welcome Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization Luis Fonseca de Almeida and Director General of Eurocontrol Eamonn Brannan!
Greetings, dear friends!
Greetings, representatives of the diplomatic corps!
Today, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Georgian Air Navigation by opening the new facility and learning center of the air traffic control center. I am genuinely proud because, in the rank of Minister of Economy in 2014, I was honored to lay the foundation for the implementation of this crucially important project.
These are facilities equipped with the latest technology and meeting international standards and requirements in full.
Today marks yet another step forward toward enhancing the level of Georgia's aviation safety and developing the aviation industry, which is directly tied to the development of the country's aviation, tourism, and economy in general.
It is a matter of principle for a country positioning itself as a transit hub to become attractive to partner countries in terms of air transport, among others. As you know, since 2014, marks the entry point into Europe's airspace. Our country marks the airspace border of Asia and Europe, and the Georgian Air Navigation is Europe's border guard, and it is commendable that the organization meets the highest standards in fulfilling its mission.
Our path to Europe and the European airspace passes through constant development. The Georgian Air Navigation has enough potential to provide airlines with high-standard, safe, and effective services, this way establishing ties with more airlines as a partner with a safe airspace, efficient infrastructure, and highly qualified human resources.
It is of vital importance that our aviation reforms are lauded by international aviation organizations, and their assessments continue to improve every year. I would like to remind you of the results of ICAO's audit for this year, in which the highest progress is identified in every direction. It is confirmed by the fact that today aviation standards are observed in Georgia at a high level. Today, and the presentation of such a far-reaching project, reiterates that the efforts of the Georgian authorities further to develop the country's aviation industry are successful and productive.
Georgia is a country capable of connecting Asia and Europe through the shortest air routes, similar to land routes. The shortest air routes will enable airlines to select the shortest distance while planning flights, which means lower operating costs and mitigated negative environmental impact, along with shorter flight durations.
We are all proud of Georgia's being one of the best tourism destinations in Europe, and we are all witnesses to the record-breaking growth in the numbers of our country's visitors.
You are aware of the significantly growing interest of foreign airlines in Georgia's airspace in the recent years. Last year, the Georgian Air Navigation served 15% more aircraft, while Eurocontrol forecasts a 7% annual growth of this trend.
This month alone, five new direct flights were added to the schedule of the Kutaisi International Airport: Rome, Paris, Prague, Barcelona, and Athens.
2017 saw a 43% growth of the passenger flow through Georgia's airports. According to the statistics for the first four months of 2018, we already have a 34% growth, which means that record-breaking numbers of passengers should be expected in Georgia's airports.
I am happy to see that the traffic volume of Georgia's airspace is largely supported by the streamlined flight planning by the Georgian Air Navigation, also by the latest navigation technology, and airports with the latest equipment and European-level services offered by the airports.
I would like to thank the leadership of the Georgian Air Navigation, namely Mr. Gocha Mezvrishvili and his team, also Indra's Director General Director General Gonzalo Gavin, the City Company, and the Dagi construction company who built this beautiful facility, and each employee of the Georgian Air Navigation and Indra, for their hard work to equip Georgia with this new center for air control meeting the highest standards. Of course, the civil aviation achievements I mentioned earlier should also be credited to the Civil Aviation Agency. I would also like to thank Head of the Agency Guram Jalaghonia and his team.
I am convinced that this day, with its importance and scope, will be a date resonating pride in the history of the development of the Georgian Air Navigation.
Once again, I would like to congratulate you on the 25th anniversary of the Georgian Air Navigation and wish you many more equally successful projects.
Prime Minister's Press Office