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Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport Mountain Airport illustrationMountain Airport
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SUImedium airport

Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport

Sukhumi, Georgia
Explore Sukhumi city guide Navigate to this airport
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ICAO
53 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Abkhazia's main gateway on the Black Sea coast.

Location
Sukhumi, Abkhazia (Georgia)
Vladislav Ardzinba Sukhum International Airport (IATA: SUI, ICAO: UGSS) serves Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, a breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Georgia but administered independently with Russian support. The airport is named after Vladislav Ardzinba, the first president of Abkhazia. The airport has limited scheduled commercial operations due to Abkhazia's disputed political status. Russia recognizes Abkhazia as an independent state and has historically facilitated some air links, though regular scheduled services remain sparse and the airport primarily handles charter and occasional military or government flights. The facility sits near the Black Sea coast and has a single runway. Its international status is contested, as Georgia and most of the world consider flights there to be operating in violation of Georgian sovereignty.
Terminals
The airport has a small, modest passenger terminal reflective of its limited commercial traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into central Sukhumi is available via road, with taxis being the primary means of transfer from the airport.
Airlines here
Regular scheduled commercial airline service is extremely limited due to the territory's disputed status; no major international carriers operate here.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after Vladislav Ardzinba, the first president of the breakaway Republic of Abkhazia.
  • ›Georgia considers the airport to be operating illegally on its sovereign territory.
  • ›The airport is recognized internationally under Georgian jurisdiction despite being controlled by Abkhazian authorities.
  • ›Commercial air traffic is severely restricted due to Abkhazia's unrecognized political status.
  • ›The airport is located near the eastern coast of the Black Sea.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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City & Place Guide

Contested Black Sea city where Soviet nostalgia meets subtropical beauty.

Sukhumi is the capital of Abkhazia, a breakaway territory on the eastern Black Sea coast that is recognized by Georgia as occupied territory and by most of the world as Georgian soil. The city exists in a unique political limbo, controlled by Abkhazian authorities with strong Russian backing since the devastating 1992–1993 war, which left much of its Soviet-era architecture in picturesque ruin.

Despite its unresolved status, Sukhumi draws a trickle of adventurous travelers with its palm-lined promenade, warm Black Sea waters, and an eerie, melancholic atmosphere. The population is a fraction of its pre-war size, giving the city a quiet, almost ghostly quality alongside genuine local hospitality.

Note: Entry is only practically possible from Russia, and doing so may result in denial of entry to Georgia proper. Travelers must carefully research legal and safety implications before visiting.

  • •Sukhumi Promenade — palm-shaded seafront perfect for evening strolls
  • •Sukhumi Monkey Research Station — famous Soviet-era primate facility still operating
  • •Ruins of the Sukhumi Drama Theatre — hauntingly beautiful war-damaged landmark
  • •Kelasuri Tower & Medieval Wall — remnants of a 7th-century Byzantine defensive line
  • •Sukhumi Botanical Garden — one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Caucasus
  • •Bagrat Castle — hilltop medieval fortress with sweeping city and sea views

Getting around: Within the city, shared minibuses called marshrutkas and private taxis are the main options; taxis are cheap and widely available but should be negotiated in advance. There is no rideshare app in common use. A Russian-operated rail link connects Sukhumi to the Russian border, and occasional buses run to towns within Abkhazia.

Best time: Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) offer warm, sunny weather with lower humidity and fewer crowds than the busy July–August peak.

Local food: Try achma (layered cheese-filled pastry), Abkhazian bean dishes with adjika spice paste, fresh Black Sea fish, and locally produced wines and chacha grape brandy.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via SUI? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Georgia from official government sources.

Georgia visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification