“Sakaeronavigatsia” Ltd. of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia is hosting more than 70 delegates of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Route Development Group (RDGE/25) – Eastern Part of the ICAO EUR Region is being held in Hotel “Tbilisi Marriott”. The meeting will discuss all the issues related to modernization of the air routes, as well as development of the airspace of Europe and middle part of Asia. The Meeting was opened by Mr. Gocha Mezvrishvili, Director General of “Sakaeronavigatsia” Ltd.

The delegates of every Member States of the ICAO’s European Bureau are presented at RDGE 25, the representatives of the international aviation organizations, as well as the Member States of the ICAO three offices (Europe and the North Atlantic, the Middle East and South Africa, Asia and the Pacific) are among the invited guests. Organization of such scale event in Georgia underlines once again that the efforts of the Government of Georgia – to further develop the aviation industry in the country is successful and productive.

“It is of paramount importance for the country that is developing as transit hub with its policy, to become attractive for the partner countries in terms of air transport. Georgia, due to its geopolitical location, will be able to connect Asia and Europe with each other via the shortest route by air, similar to the ground. Georgia is steadily and consistently involved in development of aviation in the country, operation in this direction. We continue to use all available mechanisms to the greatest extent and therefore to prepare Georgia as a full and attractive member of the worldwide aviation, but above all, to serve strengthening of Georgia and aviation capacity building of the country, in order to cope with the modern, comprehensive and large-scale challenges more confidently,”- said Mr. David Khutsishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development.

ICAO Route Development Group – Eastern Part of the ICAO EUR Region (RDGE) was founded in 2004. The mission of the ICAO Route Development Group is to develop and implement the concept of optimization. This concept implies creation of such type of air space, during use of which the airlines will be able to select the shortest distance when determining the flight route and to plan the route between the shortest points of entry and exit, so that they would not need to agree with the air traffic control center in advance and to indicate the specific air route. A short distance in air, in turn, means reduction of flight time, operation costs and negative environmental impact. Reduction of distance of the air routes is directly related to the ticket prices, which will positively affect development of tourism and economy.

“We are honored that Georgia is the host country of the 25th Anniversary Meeting of such essential group of ICAO in the process of arrangement of the European airspace. I am confident that we can lay very constructive and credible role in implementation of this important project. The meeting will further strengthen our relations with the partner countries and the international aviation organizations,” - said Mr. Gocha Mezvrishvili, General Director of “Sakaeronavigatsia” Ltd.

Today “Sakaeronavigatsia” Ltd. serves the transit aircrafts on 19 routes in the airspace of Georgia. It added 6 new air routes during the last 4 years; therefore Georgia became more attractive for the airlines in terms of transit.

At this meeting “Sakaeronavigatsia” Ltd. proposed addition of 3 new routes to the group, which will unite several countries of our region and will attract more airlines in the terms of the region.