Georgian citizens arriving at Kutaisi International Airport now clear border control in just 18–20 seconds, down from 40 seconds with manual processing. This enhancement supports a better travel experience, streamlines the passenger flow and reduces congestion during peak periods.
The Challenge
Growing passenger volumes at Kutaisi International Airport put increasing strain on border control officers, especially when several flights are arriving at the same time. With officers processing each traveler manually, queues built up fast, stretching staff capacity and slowing the entire arrivals flow.
The solution
Seven self-service ABC eGates now allow eligible Georgian citizens to clear border control faster using biometric verification, cutting processing time by more than half compared to a manual check.
The Results
Georgian citizens at Kutaisi International Airport now clear border control in just 18–20 seconds, down from around 40 seconds. This shorter processing time helps reduce queues, keeps arrivals moving during peak periods, and make coming home a more comfortable experience.
The Challenge
Kutaisi International Airport has become an increasingly important international gateway for Georgia. Over the years, passenger traffic has grown significantly as multiple airlines expanded their operations and the airport’s network of destinations continued to grow across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As demand increased, arrival peaks became more concentrated, particularly during busy travel periods when several flights landed within short time intervals.
The challenge was most visible at border control. Passengers were processed manually by border officers, with each check taking around 40 seconds on average. When multiple flights arrived at the same time, queues built quickly, and Georgian citizens returning home often faced long waits before leaving the terminal.
The impact went beyond waiting times. Border officers spent most of their time handling routine document checks, limiting their ability to focus on cases that required closer attention and human judgment.
UAG needed a different way to address the challenge: not only moving people faster, but improving the arrival experience for Georgian citizens while supporting the airport’s continued growth without adding complexity to airport operations.
The Solution
United Airports of Georgia (UAG) installed seven ABC eGates in the arrivals hall at Kutaisi International Airport, the first deployment of its kind in Georgia.
Eligible passengers scan their ePassport or ID card, and the system verifies both the document and the traveller’s identity using biometric matching connected to national databases, clearing border control in almost half the time of a manual check. If the system detects an issue or exception, border officers receive an alert immediately and can step in when needed.
The Results
For Georgian citizens, the difference is immediate. Border control that once took around 40 seconds now takes 18–20 seconds — 50% faster. When hundreds of passengers arrive within the same hour, those time savings quickly reduce queues, ease congestion in the terminal, and create a faster, less stressful arrival experience.
The new ABC eGates also changed how border officers spend their time. Routine document checks now happen automatically, allowing officers to focus more on exceptions, higher-risk cases, and situations that require closer attention. Security standards remain the same. The process simply works faster and more efficiently.
For United Airports of Georgia (UAG), this means greater border processing capacity with the existing terminal infrastructure, without the need for major physical expansion or additional staffing. By simplifying one of the longest steps in the arrivals journey, Kutaisi gained more flexibility to support future growth while improving the experience for both passengers and frontline teams.
As the first airport in Georgia to deploy ABC eGates, Kutaisi introduced automated border control to the country's aviation landscape.
“As passenger traffic continues to grow, it is important for us to provide faster and more convenient services for our citizens. Automated border control has become an important step in improving the overall passenger experience at Kutaisi International Airport.”
Looking Ahead
With seven ABC eGates now in place, Kutaisi International Airport has room to grow. The system is designed so that additional gates can be added as traffic volumes increase, expanding processing capacity step by step, without major infrastructure changes.
As more Georgian citizens travel through Kutaisi, particularly on low-cost carriers connecting to European destinations, the ability to keep border processing fast and efficient will remain central to the airport's day-to-day performance. UAG can now scale capacity in line with demand, positioning arrivals infrastructure ahead of growth rather than reacting to it and making sure that for Georgian citizens, the journey home always ends on a good note.
About United Airports of Georgia
United Airports of Georgia (UAG) is the state-owned company responsible for the development, management, and operation of Georgia’s airport infrastructure. UAG operates Kutaisi International Airport, the second-largest airport in Georgia and a leading hub for direct flights between Georgia and Europe, as well as local airports including Queen Tamar Airport in Mestia and Ambrolauri Airport. Through the management and development of these airports, UAG supports the continued growth of Georgia’s civil aviation sector and focuses on improving operational efficiency and the passenger experience. The introduction of ABC eGates at Kutaisi International Airport reflects this commitment to innovation and modern, seamless travel solutions.