TIRANA, Sept. 20 /ATA/ – Interior Minister Ervin Demo visited border police officers at Tirana International Airport on Sunday, thanking them for their work during a tourist season marked by exceptionally high passenger flows.
Accompanied by State Police Director General Skënder Hita, Demo praised the officers handling daily arrivals and departures at Albania’s main air border crossing while maintaining security and border controls.
During the summer, border police at Rinas worked under increased pressure as passenger traffic reached tens of thousands a day. In August, around 55,000 passengers a day were reported, prompting border services to operate on 12-hour shifts during the tourist season.
“You are the first face travellers see when they arrive in our country, and the relationship we establish with everyone crossing the border, both Albanian and foreign citizens, is the security we want to convey,” Demo told officers.
He said the results achieved during the tourist season were primarily the result of the work of frontline personnel, adding that police conduct should set an example of civic behaviour across public services, starting at border crossings.
The meeting also highlighted the growing use of technology to process passengers and improve border services. Modernised systems and border-control equipment, including e-Gates, have helped reduce processing times and manage passenger flows more efficiently.
Demo said technology would remain an important tool but would not replace the role of police officers.
Demo said the growing number of travellers required continued investment in staff, technology and working conditions. He said authorities were also considering strengthening the Rinas police station ahead of the holiday period and next year’s tourist season.
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