Levan Davitashvili: “Trade turnover with Hungary rose by 14%; Wizz Air remains Georgia’s leading airline.”
Verdict: FactCheck concludes that Levan Davitashvili’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
Trade turnover between Georgia and Hungary totalled USD 78 million in 2023 and reached USD 89 million in 2024 – 14% higher. The turnover is driven almost entirely by imports which account for over USD 85 million. Imports are less diversified with more than half consisting of pharmaceuticals. Exports remain minimal, totalling just USD 3.2 million.Wizz Air entered the Georgian market in 2012, making it possible for the first time to fly to European capitals for just a few dozen euros. The airline ranked first in Georgia by passenger numbers in 2024, holding a 17% market share. The Hungarian carrier operated flights from Kutaisi to 25 destinations as of June 2025.The trade figures cited by Levan Davitashvili are accurate but lack important context. It is also true that Wizz Air is currently Georgia’s leading airline by passenger volume. Given that the data is mostly correct but omits key details such as low export levels and limited import diversification, FactCheck concludes that Levan Davitashvili’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
Analysis
Commenting on economic relations between Georgia and Hungary, Levan Davitashvili stated: “Georgia has made progress in terms of trade with Hungary with the trade turnover between the two countries rising by 14% in 2024.” He also noted: “The Hungarian airline Wizz Air is expanding its presence in Georgia and is the number one airline in the Georgian aviation market today, connecting Georgia with approximately 28 destinations.”
Trade turnover with Hungary totalled USD 78 million in 2023, rising by 14% to USD 89 million in 2024. The average annual turnover constituted USD 50 million between 2013 and 2020 with a steady upward trend observed since 2021.
Hungary ranks 14th amongst 27 EU member states in terms of trade turnover with Georgia. It is mainly outpaced by countries with larger economies and populations such as Germany, Italy and France. However, Georgia also records higher trade volumes with smaller EU countries like Bulgaria and Lithuania.
The largest share of the turnover is driven by imports which exceeds USD 85 million. Exports remain modest at USD 3.2 million, including USD 2.4 million in domestic exports. The top export categories are clothing patterns with USD 943,000 and telephone sets with USD 630,000. Wine accounts for a negligible share, totalling just USD 3,000.
Graph 1: Trade Turnover between Georgia and Hungary (USD Million)
Source: National Statistics Office of Georgia
Medical products ranked first amongst imports from Hungary in 2024. Pharmaceuticals have consistently held the highest spot in recent years, accounting for over 50% of imports from Hungary.
Canned meat followed in second place with USD 4 million whilst imports of hygiene products and passenger cars each exceeded USD 3 million. Georgia imported 127 passenger cars from Hungary in 2024.
Hungary accounts for 1.7% of Georgia’s trade turnover within the EU market and just 0.4% globally. Export shares are even smaller – 0.7% within the EU and 0.05% worldwide. Whilst these figures are not substantial, the upward trend in trade value in recent years is evident. However, Hungary’s share in Georgia’s overall foreign trade has not increased which is largely due to the surge in re-exports of passenger cars significantly boosting the overall turnover.
Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air entered the Georgian market in 2012 (following the signing of an agreement in June of that year). Its arrival made it possible to travel from Kutaisi Airport to EU capitals for just a few dozen euros. Wizz Air ranks first in Georgia by passenger volume as of 2024, holding a 17% market share – nearly 2.5 times higher than its closest competitor, Turkish Airlines. The airline also led the market in 2023 with a 21% share and in 2022 with 13%.
Graph 2: Passenger Volume by Airlines (thousand passengers)
Source: Georgian Civil Aviation Agency
Wizz Air operates flights from Kutaisi Airport to 24 cities in 13 European countries as well as to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates – its sole Asian destination – as of June 2025. Flights arrive at different airports in some cities such as Rome and Paris. Both the number of destinations and flight frequency continue to grow steadily.
The data cited by Levan Davitashvili is accurate in terms of foreign trade but lacks important context. Despite the growth, export volume remains minimal and can be considered negligible. As for Wizz Air, it is indeed Georgia’s leading airline by passenger numbers, nearly 2.5 times ahead of its closest competitor. Given the largely correct data, but the omission of key factors (such as low exports and limited import diversification), FactCheck concludes that Levan Davitashvili’s statement is MOSTLY TRUE.
