Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili met with representatives from China Eastern Airlines to discuss the carrier’s potential entry into the Georgian aviation market, the Ministry of Economy announced.

Negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, and if successful, direct flights between Georgia and China could commence later this year.

During their visit, the Chinese delegation inspected key aviation infrastructure, including Tbilisi International Airport. The discussions also underscored the importance of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Georgia and China, which has significantly deepened bilateral economic ties and introduced a visa-free regime—leading to a sharp rise in Chinese tourism.

China Eastern would be the third Chinese airline to operate in Georgia, joining Air China, which currently runs three weekly flights on the Urumqi–Tbilisi route, and China Southern Airlines, which operates five.

Tourism data reflects growing interest: Georgia welcomed 13,875 Chinese visitors in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 40.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Overall, Chinese visits surged by 83.4% year-over-year in 2024, reaching 88,583, positioning China as Georgia’s 11th largest source of international travelers.