A new air terminal complex of Sukhum International Airport has been commissioned in Abkhazia.

The opening ceremony of the terminal was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Saveliev, Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin, and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Abkhazia Teimuraz Mikvaba via video link from the site of the International Transport and Logistics Forum.

"Our work significantly increases the transport accessibility of the Republic of Abkhazia, ensures the comfort and safety of passengers, promotes the strengthening of ties and the development of tourism. Today we are developing cooperation in all key areas of transport," Andrey Nikitin emphasized.

The Minister also spoke about cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia in other areas of transport. In 2025, passenger traffic by rail increased by 40%. The service is provided by electric trains "Dioscuria" and long-distance trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg. "The 120M high-speed sea Comets and the single ticket system have been launched. The Adler automobile checkpoint, one of the most in–demand in Russia, has also been upgraded. We plan to continue working to make trips between our countries even more comfortable for residents," the head of the Ministry of Transport added.

The new Sukhum Airport terminal complex is equipped with border, customs and preflight control zones that meet the requirements for international airports. The forecourt has been landscaped with parking areas and bus stops for ground transport. The total area of the complex is about 5,000 square meters, with a capacity of up to 400 passengers per hour. The terminal is equipped with 20 passport control booths, nine check-in counters, and two baggage claim belts.

The airfield infrastructure has been updated, and the reconstruction of the historic terminal building is being completed. The modernization of the airfield has made it possible to receive modern medium- and long-haul aircraft. New lighting equipment has been installed, an automated meteorological measuring system has been introduced, and ground-based flight and communications equipment has been introduced, which makes it possible to perform an instrumental approach in difficult meteorological conditions.

On May 1, 2025, after a break of more than 30 years, scheduled flights from the temporary terminal resumed from Sukhumi Airport. The first flight on the Moscow – Sukhum route was performed by the airline YUVT Aero. During the summer season, 4 airlines were involved in transportation on 4 routes. Sukhum Airport served flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Khanty-Mansiysk. On June 12, 2025, the first wide-body aircraft landed at Sukhum Airport, confirming that the infrastructure meets modern requirements. The total passenger traffic over the past year amounted to more than 120 thousand people.

Since April 3, the airline "North Wind" together with the airline "Ikar" launches regular flights on the route "Moscow – Sukhum". The journey time will be 3 hours and 40 minutes.

The International Transport and Logistics Forum is being held in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation to ensure the global competitiveness of Russia's transport corridors, including the implementation of decrees within the framework of national goals until 2030 and for the future 2036.

The MTLF is organized by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the operator is the Roscongress Foundation, with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.