Georgian operator Aviator has had an encouraging start to operations using a King Air C90GTX, which is transporting corporate and leisure travellers to popular spots in Georgia and Armenia. Says sales and marketing manager Vako Tchilashvili: "Aviator is the latest product of the fastest growing and largest hospitality holding company in Georgia, Adjara Group. We fly one factory-new King Air, but due to growing demand, our team is already working on fleet expansion and we are planning to add mid-size passenger helicopters for regional flights, in order to become more flexible and reach places where there are no runways and airports. We are also considering jet aircraft for longer range international flights."

The company has been trading for just over five months following receipt of its AOC at the end of last year. "The King Air aircraft suits our needs in the conditions we encounter, such as the mountainous landscape of Georgia," Tchilashvili continues. "It is small, agile and is able to land and take off from any functioning aerodrome in the country.

"The three most popular routes for now are from Tbilisi to the seaside resort of Batumi, to the ski resort Mestia, and to the Armenian capital Yerevan, which has good economic links with Georgia. We are the pioneers of private aviation and air taxi services in Georgia and we are at the promotion stage as things stand. Demand for our services is growing significantly and we already have flight bookings for the summer period.”

Georgia itself is not a large market for private aviation but growing tourism potential and good economic relations with neighbouring countries have created an attractive business aviation environment, according to Tchilashvili. Aviator is managed by deputy CEO George Molodinashvili, who has more than 15 years of experience in aviation including airline and airport roles.