easyJet is set to launch a groundbreaking budget route, providing the UK with its first-ever direct flight to one of Europe’s most ancient cities.
The innovative connection will bridge Luton Airport to Tbilisi, Georgia’s historic capital, a capital of the former Soviet Republic.
Launching in April next year, travellers flying with the Luton-headquartered carrier can embark on their Georgian adventures on Tuesdays and Saturdays, reports The Independent.
Yet the direct journey, spanning roughly 2,223 miles, is currently challenged by airspace restrictions over Ukraine and Russia, compelling Western airlines to take alternative, lengthier routes, reports the Mirror.
The Independent reveals that the expected flight path will likely extend travel time, estimating around five hours to reach Georgia, with the return trip to Luton taking approximately five hours and 40 minutes.
Notably, the Saturday return flight will arrive at Luton just after the stroke of midnight.
Offering insights to The Independent, airline expert Sean Moulton said: “easyJet has been expanding its network into new cities in recent times adding Istanbul and Cairo already, with the likes of Derry and Tromso coming this winter.”
In Moulton’s perspective, easyJet’s latest venture taps into an untapped market, asserting: “Now another new city and, in fact, a new country to its network – Georgia.
“Tbilisi is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is one of the last remaining European cities not to have a direct flight to London.
“It’s been a relatively difficult place to get to since it’s been four years since the last scheduled flights from the UK to Georgia, this new twice weekly connection will help to regrow tourism to the region and boost trade links between the UK and Caucasus.”
Prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the budget carrier Wizz Air operated services connecting Luton with Kutaisi in Georgia.