Vlora International Airport set to begin operations in summer 2025
The Vlora International Airport is expected to commence operations in the summer of 2025. According to the government, the airport’s runway will be completed by the end of this year and will undergo rigorous testing to obtain European certifications.
Why is this important
Vlora International Airport will be Albania’s third airport, following Tirana and Kukës, and the first to offer transoceanic flights. Its runway will be 3.2 km long, and it will feature a terminal covering 20,000 square meters, making it the largest airport in the country and in the region. The airport will ease the burden on Tirana’s Nënë Tereza International Airport, which has struggled with high passenger volumes this year.
Context
On April 20, 2021, the Albanian government signed a contract with the winning company for the construction of Vlora Airport, located in the village of Akërni near the picturesque Narta Lagoon. Given the airports location in the protected Vjosa-Narta area, a habitat known for its flamingos, pelicans, and over 60 other bird species, there have been some concerns and opposition by environmentalists who fear the airport’s construction will damage this unique ecosystem. However, the concessionaire and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy have assured that the airport will not impact the area’s biodiversity.
The investment is led by a consortium of companies, including Mabco Construction, owned by Kosovar businessman and politician Behgjet Pacolli, in partnership with the Turkish company YDA Group, which has experience building and operating airports in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The total investment will be €104 million, with the Albanian government committing an additional €138 million over the first 10 years of operation.
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