Kutaisi International Airport has introduced a new automated border control system designed to speed up passenger processing from 40 seconds to just 18 seconds, and reduce queues.
Developed by Swiss IT and communications provider SITA, the system has been installed in the arrivals hall and is currently operating in a testing phase ahead of its full launch in October.
A total of seven e-gates have been activated for arriving passengers. The new technology allows adult Georgian citizens to pass through border control without queuing for manual inspection; travellers simply scan their passports and verify their biometric data to enter the country.
According to airport officials, the project amounted to a 1.6 million GEL investment to modernise Georgia’s airport infrastructure.
The innovation follows earlier automation efforts in the departures hall, where an e-gate system developed by French high-tech company RESA ELECTRONIQUE has been in operation for several months. That system enables passengers to scan their boarding passes for automatic access through departure gates, further reducing queues and improving the overall travel experience.
Ultimately, this upgrade enhances security while providing a faster, more comfortable journey for travellers. At Identity Week Europe 2026, sessions on seamless travel, biometrics at the borders, automated identity verification, and a deep dive in biometric use cases will showcase how airports and border forces like those in Kutaisi are leveraging e-gates to improve efficiency, security, and cross-border travel experiences, offering a practical example of digital identity technologies in action at a regional European hub.
