newstodate.aero

Mar 07, 2023 (newstodate): The self-declared and almost fully unrecognized independent republic of Abkhazia, in the Caucasus region, will have a new airport.
   In March-April 2023, Abkhazia and Russia will sign an agreement on the construction of a new airport at Sukhumi to replace the existing Sukhumi Dranda Airport that has seen no commercial air traffic since 1993, being heavily damaged during the war with Georgia that ended with the secession of the region.
   The airport will be designed with a capacity of handling three mio passengers per year; design and survey work has reportedly already been completed, and already in April the investor intends to receive the approval of the state.
   In 2008, ICAO prohibited international flights at Sukhumi Airport, but in 2009 Abkhazia signed an agreement with Russia for outsourcing of its air traffic management to Russia's transportation authorities.
   In 2010 Russia and Abkhazia also signed an air services agreement allowing for designated carriers to transport passengers and cargo on flights.