Sukhumi Airport sees passenger surge as Sochi flights reroute after drone attacks

Sukhumi Airport is set to see a sharp rise in passenger numbers. This follows disruptions at Sochi Airport caused by recent drone attacks. The shift comes as Russian airline Nordwind adjusts its summer flight schedule to accommodate the changes. Sukhumi Airport reopened in 2025 after a major reconstruction project funded largely by Russia. In its first year, it handled 180,000 passengers, with expectations to reach 300,000 in 2026. Currently, only Russian airlines operate flights there due to the airport’s lack of international certification and Abkhazia’s unrecognised status.

Nordwind has now become the first airline to revise its flight programme in response to the situation in Sochi. The airline will cancel some flights to Sochi and increase services to Sukhumi. The close distance between the two cities, around 100km apart, makes redirecting flights a practical solution.

Sochi Airport has repeatedly suspended operations during drone attacks, causing delays and diversions. Nordwind’s decision to ‘optimise’ its schedule is widely seen as a direct response to these disruptions. The redirection of flights is expected to boost passenger traffic at Sukhumi Airport. The changes reflect the growing challenges at Sochi Airport. Russian airlines continue to adapt their operations to the evolving situation.