In her remarks at the plenary session, Balluku said that, “the modernization of aviation has exceeded expectations. In the last 5 years, starting from 2029, we started designing a genuine strategy for the development of Civil Aviation, creating a new opportunity for the development of the country.”

“We said at that time that Albania will have 4 entry gates from the air and we are working, starting with Tirana airport, with the renegotiation of the concession contract that today operates under other terms. The investments undertaken have increased the area of passenger accommodation to 40 thousand m2, from 13 thousand m2 until 2020. We have tripled its capacity to accommodate the entire flow of passengers. Investments will also be made in the runway of Tirana airport. From 2.8 km, today we are increasing the airport runway to 3.2 km, to accommodate long-haul flights, turning Tirana’s airport into a category 4E airport. We have increased the number of aircraft stands to 9”, stated Balluku.

Balluku pointed out that in the meantime the Kukes airport is up and running.
Deputy Prime Minister stated that the works for the construction of the international airport of Vlora will be completed at the end of December 2024 to proceed with the licensing procedure so that the spring of 2025 will see first take-offs and landings.

“Vlora International Airport is expected to be the largest airport in the region not only for passengers and goods, but also for the aircraft maintenance industry,” said Balluku.
Balluku announced that the international competition for the construction of the fourth airport in the south of the country, precisely in Gjirokastra, will be opened within May.

“The legal basis and other actors of the sector need to be brought up to speed with all these developments, as is the case of air navigation. We requested legal changes for “Albcontrol” in order to keep pace with the developments in this sector,” Balluku said.
/r.e/sm/