Ten years ago, a small fleet of light aircraft from Luxembourg touched down at Natakhtari airfield, just outside Tbilisi. It marked the end of the inaugural “Memorial Hans Gutmann” expedition to Georgia—an unforgettable odyssey across Europe and the Caucasus.
As Secretary General of that 2016 mission and leading the organising team, I experienced firsthand how general aviation can build bridges between countries, cultures, and people. That journey left a lasting impression on all of us. Today, nearly a decade later, we are preparing to return.
Laying the Groundwork: 2015
My personal journey with Georgia began one year earlier, in 2015, when I travelled to Tbilisi to prepare the ground for what would become the historic 2016 expedition, the first of its kind. At the time, organising a group flight of European private aircraft to Georgia was far from straightforward.
During that preparatory visit, I reached out to David Bakradze, then State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at Georgia’s government , who immediately understood both the symbolic and practical importance of the initiative. Under his coordination, close cooperation was established with the leadership of the Georgian Civil Aviation Authority, making it possible—technically, legally, and politically—for Luxembourg and European aviators to fly to Georgia.
That groundwork proved decisive. In 2016, we returned not as isolated pioneers, but as a fully organised expedition: 12 aircraft and a delegation of 45 participants from Luxembourg and across Europe landed in Georgia. What began as a technical and diplomatic challenge quickly evolved into something far more enduring.
It was the beginning of a love story between European general aviation and Georgia.
2016: Discovering a European Hidden Gem
In 2016, Georgia revealed itself to us as a true hidden gem—aviation-friendly, outward-looking, and deeply European in spirit.
Upon leaving Luxembourg, Luxembourg Minister Goebbels came personally over to our airport to wave us out and wish us good luck on to carry out the spirit of the Schengen agreement to Georgia. He asked us to bring his best regards to the Georgian Minister of State
On 9 August 2016, a formal welcome was organised for the European aviators at Georgia’s Natakhtari airfield, attended by national television and radio crews. Several high-level Georgian officials addressed the participants, underlining Georgia’s European vocation:
- David Bakradze, State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
- Giorgi Chogovadze, Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration
- Guram Jalaghonia, Head of the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia
- Gia Volksi, chairman of “Georgian dream” in the Georgian parliament
- and in the background there was Nika Tsiklauri, the head of cabinet of the Minister at State, who helped us tremendously. He became a trusted friend, with a deep friendship lasting until today
Their speeches conveyed a clear and consistent message: Georgia sees itself as part of the European family. The Civil Aviation Agency played a crucial role in facilitating our arrival, as we were among the first European private pilots to fly into Georgia as a coordinated group.
To symbolise this shared European aspiration, we brought with us rare bottles of “Château de Schengen” wine from Luxembourg. The gesture was warmly received—particularly meaningful in a country preparing itself for deeper integration with the European Union.
That evening, Amiran Manjavidze, owner of Natakhtari airfield, hosted an unforgettable celebration featuring traditional music, dance, and outstanding Georgian cuisine and wines from his own vineyards. The event was also attended by Gia Volski, Chairman of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, who reacted enthusiastically when we unfurled the flag of the Schengen Agreement.
A Country in Aeronautical Bloom
Much has changed in ten years.
Our cockpits are sleeker. Navigation is digital. And my personal relationship with Georgia has grown into an official role.
Today, I have the honour of serving as Honorary Consul of Georgia in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. To be clear: the upcoming expedition is not a diplomatic mission. Its purpose is something far more human—to strengthen the bond between Luxembourg and Georgia through aviation, adventure, and shared values.
The 2026 Luxembourg–Georgia Private Pilot Expedition will take place under the patronage of the Honorary Consulate, combining high-level institutional support with the authenticity and freedom of private flying.
A Modern Sky: Flying to Georgia in 2026
Flying to the Caucasus has never been more accessible for European pilots.
Georgia has made remarkable progress in aligning its aviation ecosystem with European standards:
- EASA Alignment
Georgia is working closely with EASA to harmonise regulations, ensuring that European pilots feel immediately at home in Georgian airspace. - Modern ULM Legislation
A new Ultra-Light Motorised (ULM) framework has recently been introduced, inspired by the French model, widely regarded as the most liberal and successful in Europe. - Digital Navigation
Following earlier exchanges, SkyDemon has officially added Georgia to its maps. Flight planning through the Caucasus is now as intuitive as flying across Central Europe.
Our planned route will cross Central Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey, before entering the Caucasus—an extraordinary journey both technically and visually.
Destination: Kakheti and the Ambassadori Aviation Village
The highlight of our stay will be Kakheti, often described as the Tuscany of the Caucasus—a region of vineyards, rolling landscapes, and deep cultural roots.
This time, we plan to stay at the Ambassadori Kachreti Resort, a remarkable site that goes far beyond the concept of a five-star hotel. It is also the heart of a visionary Aviation Village project currently taking shape.
A new concrete airstrip is being planned, driven by the passion and commitment of the Keburia family. Tornike Keburia, a key figure behind the project, has recently invested in a brand-new high-end Bristell aircraft to spearhead this initiative. They first steps have been taken this week and if all goes well, a brand new airstrip should be ready by the summer of 2026.
Our ambition is to time our arrival to coincide with the official opening of the airstrip on September 4, 2026 —a true milestone for Georgian General Aviation.
The 2026 Plan
Detailed planning will be announced in March 2026, hereunder is a first draft
Following my discussions with the Georgian Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Jan 29th, 2026, we are officially planning a landmark exploration flight to the Caucasus this summer.
Our intention is to reach Georgia over several days, with planned stops in Central Europe and the Istanbul region, spend a few days immersed in the hospitality and wines of Kakheti, and return via a slightly different route to Western Europe
The Mission:
We will be heading to the Ambassadori Hotel in the Kakheti wine region. The owner is currently starting to build a 1000m+ concrete runway, specifically for our arrival. If all goes well, it should be finished by this summer.
The Itinerary:
- Sat 29 Aug: Departure from Luxembourg
- En Route: Stops in Hungary, Istanbul, and Batumi.
- Thu 3 Sept: Arrival at the new Ambassadori airstrip in Kakheti.
- Fri 4 Sept: Official part of the celebration
- 4–7 Sept: Days at leisure to discover Georgia (Tbilisi, monasteries, and world-class dining).
- Tue 8 Sept: Departure from Kakheti.
- Sat 12 Sept: Return to Luxembourg via Istanbul, Greece, Italy, France
🏔️ Optional Exploration Adventures
During the stay, participants may choose between several unique experiences:
🚙 Self-drive Jeep expedition to Tusheti — one of Europe’s most remote mountain regions
✈️ Self-flying excursion to Mestia in the spectacular Caucasus mountains
🚙 Jeep exploration of Vashlovani National Park, in the wild far east of Georgia
🍷 Or simply relax and enjoy wine, nature, and Georgian hospitality… you will
Join the Formation
We are assembling a select group of European pilots flying modern aircraft for this long-distance expedition. Several veterans of the original 2016 journey are expected to join once again.
If you believe that aviation is more than transport—if you see it as a way to connect cultures, people, and ideas—then this expedition is for you. Please send an email to contact@privatepilot.lu if you are interested to pre-register or give us a helping hand with the organisation.
Let’s make history again in the Georgian skies.
The primary focus of this expedition is flying, and as organiser I aim to keep costs under control for all participants. Official registration will open at the end of March or early April, following my trip to Istanbul and Georgia at the end of March to finalise practical arrangements.
So far, around 20 crews have already expressed their interest and are pre-registered. Those pre-registered participants will be added to the WhatsApp group and will receive priority access when registration officially opens in April.
