Increased air ticket prices to Europe

Georgia’s tour operators say ticket prices from Kutaisi International Airport to European countries have increased.

Many of them say that the alleged increase and doubled prices for tickets is the Georgia-EU visa waiver that will come into force from this month.

The tour operators say as now there is slight difference in ticket prices between Kutaisi and Tbilisi international airports, the passengers are very likely to prefer the capital city.

The EU-Georgia visa liberalisation dialogue started back in 2012, and has resulted in Georgians being able to travel visa-free to the countries of the EU’s Schengen Zone and to several others by the end of March for 90 days in any 180-day period.

Of course, the opportunity will increase the number of those who wish to visit Europe as tourists, for short-term education purposes, or medical needs.

Generally demand always influences the price.

However, this might also have a negative impact, as one of the major attractions of Kutaisi Airport has been its lower prices.

Georgia needs very much to develop its cities and towns to keep their population less attracted by the capital. The fact is that more and more people are moving to Tbilisi in search of jobs and as a result the city has become overcrowded. Some analysts call such countries 'tadpole'.

The increase of air ticket prices may reduce clients for Airport in Kutaisi, which is the second largest city in the country and this will have a negative impact on the city's infrastructure.