Are There Flights to Abkhazia Now? Direct Flights to Sukhum and the 2026 Schedule

Sukhum Airport (Babushara) status: the real situation with scheduled flights in 2026

Sukhum International Airport named after V. G. Ardzinba (Babushara) resumed regular operations on May 1, 2025, after a break of more than 30 years. The first scheduled route was a flight from Moscow. In 2026, the airport serves passenger flights from Russian cities. Air service is seasonal: the schedule changes when switching between the summer and autumn-winter schedules. The availability of a direct flight always depends on the specific travel date.

Flight geography: a list of Russian cities with direct air connections

According to the Russian Ministry of Transport, direct flights to Abkhazia are scheduled from 13 Russian cities. However, a check of the seasonal airport schedule shows that flights are actually listed from 11 cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Mineralnye Vody, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Ufa, Khanty-Mansiysk and Chelyabinsk. Flights from Moscow use Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports. The routes are operated by RusLine, Ural Airlines, Nordwind Airlines and Ikar.

For the autumn-winter period of 2026, the Ministry of Transport plans daily Ural Airlines flights from Moscow Domodedovo and flights from St. Petersburg twice a week. Do not treat the general list of cities as a guarantee of a flight: before purchasing, check whether an aircraft operates the required route on your dates.

Where to check the current schedule and buy flights without overpaying

Start your search by checking the online departures board and seasonal schedule on the official Sukhum Airport website. Be sure to verify the departure city and airport, the day of the week and the period during which the flight operates. The published table shows local time for each city, and individual routes end on different dates. If a route appears in the seasonal list, that does not mean the flight is available every day.

Check seat availability and book tickets on the official airline websites or through accredited ticket aggregators. Choose platforms where the final price including fees and baggage rules is shown before proceeding to payment.

Airport transfer: how to get to Sukhum and other resort towns

The arrival terminal is located in the settlement of Babushara. The distance from the airport to central Sukhum is about 25 km. If you are traveling with luggage, take a taxi or order a private transfer. Before your trip, contact your accommodation and ask whether they meet guests at the airport. The available shared minibus options depend on the aircraft arrival time; check the route and price with the driver before boarding. If you plan to stay in the capital, explore the routes in the article Sukhum 2026: attractions, beaches and a one-day itinerary.

Travel times and fares to Gagra, Pitsunda and New Athos vary depending on traffic conditions; find out the exact figures locally. If you have not yet decided which town to choose for your vacation, the article How to choose a resort in Abkhazia: a practical guide by type of vacation will help.

Accommodation prices in the capital depend on the number and composition of guests. According to the apsnyhotels.ru catalog, for a check-in date of October 8, 2026, for two nights, Aurus Hotel offers prices starting at ₽1,900 per night for one guest or a couple. For a family with one child, accommodation costs from ₽2,700 per night, while a family with two children will pay from ₽4,000. Check the final price when booking for your dates.

Alternative route: flying via Sochi (Adler) and transferring across the Psou border

If there are no direct flights to Sukhum on your dates, buy tickets to Sochi (Adler) Airport. From there, travel by land to the Russian-Abkhazian border at the Psou checkpoint. After crossing the border on foot, you can take Abkhazian minibuses or taxis to your chosen resort.

Always allow extra time for the journey from Sochi Airport to the border and for passport control. Do not schedule your ground transport connection too close to the aircraft’s arrival time. For more details on logistics and the specifics of the journey, read the article Holidays in Abkhazia in 2026: a guide, prices and accommodation booking.