The history of today's flagship airline of Georgia began back in 1993. The modern and safe carrier is a completely private company and consists of eight liners, one of which serves the country's government.
History
The beginning of the 90s of the last century became the point of departure for Airzena. The first flights were charter and operated to China, India, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Regular only one - to Vienna. Despite the political and economic strife of this period, thanks to the right strategy, the company survived and even won some recognition. By the early 2000s, Airzena was already the national carrier.
At about the same time, the company's management is modernizing the fleet, for this it leases two liners from the German company Hapag-Lloyd.
In 2004, it was decided to rename Airzena to Georgian Airways. But the airline's old name is still in use, it is an unofficial brand name.
Our days
Today the private airline "Georgian Airlines" has modern cars - planesBOEING 737 and CRJ. The main base is Tbilisi International Airport. The main activity of the company is the reliable and safe transportation of passengers and cargo. Quality customer service and safety are our top priorities. This axiom of Georgian Airlines is confirmed by its membership in the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The entry was preceded by an audit, which was supposed to check the compliance of the airline's technical base with IOSA safety standards. Since then, there have been three such certifications, and all have been successfully completed.
Airplane Fleet
Georgian Airways' fleet consists of CRJ, EMBRAER and BOEING 737 medium haul aircraft. Among them are:
- BOEING 737-500, which has a capacity of 116 people (12 seats allocated for business class).
- BOEING - 737-700 NG, accommodating 132 passengers (12 seats reserved for business class).
- EMBRAER 190, capacity 97 (business class - 9 seats)
- CRJ 100, designed for 50 passengers (6 business class seats).
- CRJ 200, the number of seats is identical to the previous liner.
Flight personnel
This is the pride of the company. Each flight participant, whether a pilot or a flight attendant, is highly qualified and has solid experience. Pilots undergo theoretical and practical training, and every six months they practice on special flight simulators that imitate Boeing and CRJ liners, for which they go to the training centers UAB Cam & Cons (Lithuania), ICARE Training Center (France) and Pan American Flight Academy(USA).
Pilots of Georgian Airlines have second and third category certificates, which allows them to land aircraft in adverse weather conditions.
Flight attendants are selected through a series of rigorous tests, in accordance with international standards and internal company requirements. Stewards are trained at the Georgian Aviation University with subsequent professional training in specialized centers in Germany and the Czech Republic. Among the disciplines studied are “Emergency procedures and evacuation”, “Flight safety”, “Passenger service”, “First medical aid” and “Prevention of aviation accidents”.
The average age of crews is 35-45 years old.
Georgian Airlines flights
Today the air carrier operates in the following directions: Georgia - Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Also, flights are made to the capitals of Russia, Israel, France, the Netherlands and Austria. There are regular flights to these cities.
But the company has codeshare agreements with 16 leading airlines, which makes it possible for passengers to move around the world as easily as possible.
Services and services
Airzena aircraft cabins are divided into two classes - economy and business. The latter gives pleasure from the provided individual service and comfort during the flight (even DVD players with headphones are provided). Each passenger is guaranteed privacy, a varied menu and personal space. If there is no possibility on boardbreak away from business, then the stewards will create all the conditions for work.
Before takeoff, business class guests are treated to "welcome" fruit juices or mineral water. The menu reflects the national flavor: freshly prepared vegetable salads, a cheese plate (only Georgian varieties), juicy khachapuri, homemade pastries, Georgian bread and aged wines. All this, judging by the reviews of Georgian Airlines, is amazingly fresh and tasty.
If necessary, flight attendants offer pillows and cozy blankets.
Economy class on Georgian Airlines aircraft pleases passengers with comfortable ergonomic seats that are comfortable to sit in and increased legroom. The menu varies depending on the duration of the flight. But it definitely offers hot and cold dishes, drinks (tea, coffee and water), as well as desserts.
Benefits
For children, the carrier has provided discounts. Something like:
- A passenger under two years of age inclusive makes a flight at a cost of 10% of the main fare, the second child of the same age flies on a children's ticket;
- Travelers from two to twelve years old fly with a discount of 25 to 50% (depending on the class of the selected seat).
Unaccompanied Minors
This is an unaccompanied minor service. The fare for the flight for them is set not for children, but for the standard one. But the service itself for children from 5 to 11 years old inclusive is free, for passengers from 12 to 16 years old - 30 euros.
Special conditions
Ladies inposition can use the services of the carrier exclusively up to 32 weeks of pregnancy, and this is subject to a positive opinion from the attending physician.
Pets are allowed in the cabin as long as they are under 4 months old (or under 6kg). For cages and carriers for animals, there are also certain overall standards (no more than 553520 cm). All pets that do not meet these conditions fly in the baggage compartment. But in any case, Georgian Airways charge a certain fee for their flight. The only exceptions are guide dogs (the owner must have an accompanying document).
Passengers who require a wheelchair due to illness are en titled to carry it on board free of charge.
Interesting options
Today the company offers its customers four new tariffs: FLEXIBLE, STANDARD, LIGHT and BUSINESS. Each has a specific set of services. For the convenience of using this option, a comparative table has been published on the Air Georgia official website.
There was also a "Personal Account". Registration in it makes it possible to save data about each passenger, which allows you to significantly reduce the time for booking or buying an air ticket. All order details are available online here and can therefore be changed or deleted.
The interface of the “My Account” tab is multilingual. Georgian, Russian and English languages are available. Moreover, the choice made is saved.
You can pay for a flight with Georgian Airways today atRussian rubles or euro. The Georgian lari will soon appear in this list. Refunds are also available.
Developed and convenient mobile application.
Luggage
Like any carrier, Airzena has certain standards for free baggage allowance. It depends on the chosen flight class and its duration. But on average, this is one piece weighing no more than 5 kg.
For economy class tourists, hand luggage weighing no more than 8 kg is allowed (one piece in the sum of three dimensions - 115 cm). Business Class passengers are en titled to 12 kg hand luggage.
In the cargo compartment of the aircraft there are places for passengers' luggage:
- Economy class - no more than 23 kg (158 cm). For long-haul flights (Kyiv, St. Petersburg and Moscow) - no more than 25 kg.
- Business class - no more than 23 kg (the sum of three dimensions - 158 cm)
- Children (up to two years old) - 10 kg (no more than 155 cm). Passengers aged 2-12 have the same baggage allowance as adults.
One baby stroller is transported free of charge.
The weight of carry-on baggage cannot be combined with luggage.
Luggage over a certain limit is charged extra. For example, up to 32 kg on a flight to Europe - 50 EUR, to Israel, Russia, Ukraine - 35 EUR / 40 USD, to Batumi or Yerevan - 25 EUR.
Flight of a cat or dog in the cabin will cost 50 EUR/55 USD. Carrying an animal up to 32 kg in the luggage compartment costs 120 EUR/120 USD.
Ski equipment indirection Vienna, Kyiv, St. Petersburg, Moscow is transported free of charge. A set (special clothing, helmet, goggles, a pair of skis, poles or a snowboard, etc.) with a total weight not exceeding 23 kg per tourist is in addition to the free baggage allowance.
In closing
The company has been constantly developing since its first days. Therefore, no one is surprised by various innovations. One of them, which is rapidly gaining popularity, is E-ticket. This is the so-called electronic ticket, that is, a paperless form of a regular travel document. This service has many advantages, but I would especially like to highlight the following:
- An electronic ticket cannot be forgotten.
- You can buy it in any city on the planet (and not just at the place of departure).
- Friends or relatives of the future passenger can make a purchase.
And, most importantly, E-ticket is a solid time saver.
