Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Vitaly Savelyev, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Andrey Nikitin, and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Abkhazia Teymuraz Mikvaba took part in the official opening ceremony of a new terminal at Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport via video link from the International Transport and Logistics Forum.
“Our work is significantly enhancing transport accessibility to the Republic of Abkhazia, ensuring passenger comfort and safety, and helping to strengthen ties and develop tourism. Today, we are intensifying cooperation across all key transport sectors,” Nikitin said.
Nikitin also discussed cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia on other transport issues. Railway passenger traffic between Russia and the republic increased by 40% in 2025. Service is provided by Dioscuria electric trains and long-distance trains travelling from Moscow and St. Petersburg. “We have launched high-speed Kometa 120M hydrofoils and a single ticket system. We also modernized the Adler road border crossing, which is one of the busiest in Russia. We plan to continue working to ensure that travel between our countries becomes even more comfortable for our residents,” he said.
The new terminal at Sukhum Airport is equipped with border control, customs, and pre-flight screening zones that meet international airport standards. The airport’s forecourt area has been refurbished and has parking zones as well as designated stops for ground transportation. The terminal covers a total area of approximately 5,000 square meters and has throughput capacity of up to 400 passengers per hour. It has 20 passport control booths, nine check-in counters, and two baggage claim carousels.
The airfield infrastructure has been upgraded, and the reconstruction of the historic terminal building is nearing completion. This modernization of the airfield now enables it to accommodate modern medium- and long-haul aircraft. The airport has new airfield lighting systems, an automated meteorological observation system, and ground-based radio-technical flight support and communication systems that make instrument-based landing approaches possible even in adverse weather conditions.
On 1 May 2025, following a hiatus of more than 30 years, regular flights resumed from Sukhum Airport out of a temporary terminal. UVT Aero flew the inaugural flight between Moscow and Sukhum. During the summer season, four airlines provided services across four different routes. Sukhum Airport handled flights arriving from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Khanty-Mansiysk. On 12 June 2025, the first wide-body aircraft landed at Sukhum Airport and confirmed that the facility’s infrastructure meets modern standards. Total passenger traffic for the past year exceeded 120,000 people.
Starting 3 April, Nordwind Airlines, in conjunction with Ikar Airlines, is launching scheduled flights between Moscow and Sukhum with flight duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes.
The International Transport and Logistics Forum was held in accordance with directives from Russian President Vladimir Putin about enhancing the global competitiveness of Russia’s transport corridors, including the implementation of decrees that align with the country’s national goals through both 2030 and 2036.
The Forum was organized by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation and managed by the Roscongress Foundation.
For more about the Forum and its business programme, please visit transport-forum.org.
