Paragliding resumes in Georgia after 17-month hiatus

Paragliding enthusiasts can once again take to the skies in Georgia after a 17-month hiatus. 

Irakli Kapanadze, the head of the Paragliding Federation, has confirmed to the domestic media that commercial flight permits had been reissued for three airspaces in Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Ananuri.

The Georgian Government imposed the ban on the recreational and competitive adventure sport in July 2022, in response to a tragic incident in Gudauri, where a rescue helicopter crashed, claiming the lives of eight individuals.

The incident prompting the ban occurred on July 29, 2022, when a rescue helicopter was summoned to Gudauri following a paragliding accident. Unfortunately, one person of two from the paragliding crew was killed, marking the seventh fatality related to paragliding in Georgia.