The investment is worth around $400 million and includes the deployment of four aircrafts at the base, which is expected to bring the number of passengers to around 4 million per year. This means 50% increase compared to the previous year, reflecting the rapid expansion of the domestic flight market.

During the 2026 summer season, the company will operate 44 direct destinations from Tirana, of which 21 are new destinations.  Generating more than 3,000 jobs, this project will drive significant growth in the local economy and tourism industry.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary appreciated Albania as the fastest growing aviation market in Europe, while emphasizing that future plans aim to reach 6 million passengers and 60 destinations.

The latest development confirms the steady progress of the aviation sector in Albania and the growing role of Tirana International Airport as a key hub for regional and international connectivity. /e.xh/r.e/a.f/p.s./

The upgrade of the Air Force, including the fleet of combat drones, which now also serve civilian missions, remains a key priority for the national security.

Minister Vengu said that the combat drone squadron has grown and is fully operational, enabling flights even at night.

“We are actually in the second phase of development of Kuçova Air Base after it was inaugurated with support of the NATO. There is work underway on construction of new facilities”, said Vengu.

Vengu also informed that the works of the Training Center have just been completed, which has already been taken over.

Meanwhile, the prime minister saw up from very close a short demonstration of the mission that the “Bayraktar” drones were carrying out today, conducting aerial monitoring of the Vjosa valley at the request of the Civil Protection Agency.

The prime minister was informed that in addition to patrolling the maritime or land border, this center is available for any task assigned to it by other law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Minister Vengu said that the Piloting School will be located in Vlora, but knowing that a static NATO base like this one in Kuçova also means the arrival of many instructors, pilots and aviation technicians, both American and other allies; it was necessary to have a center like this with classrooms, laboratories and accommodation.

“Kuçova base has a staff of 350 people, so we are also rehabilitating the former Officers’ House in Kuçova in order to accommodate all the personnel and their families”, he added. /m.m/ /a.f/p.s./

“Congratulations to Albania on inaugurating the first NATO air base in the Western Balkans. This milestone exemplifies Albania’s steadfast dedication to NATO’s principles of championing peace, freedom, and democracy while countering threats through deterrence and defense,” the US Embassy said in a statement.

Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner joined President Bajram Begaj, Speaker of Parliament Lindita Nikolla, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi and other Albanian and NATO officials during the opening ceremony today at Kuçova.

The US diplomat Wisner commended Albania’s commitment to modernizing its military and meeting NATO’s crucial defense commitments as a bulwark of stability in the Western Balkans. As NATO allies, we stand united and strong.

/u.sh/

It is the first time that images of the preparations and works are published. Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier General Ferdinand Dimo spoke about the steps that have been followed, so far.

According to Dimo, it was the decision of the Albanian state and the NATO in 2018 to turn this base into a tactical base of the Alliance, while on March 4 of this year the base will be fully operational.

“In 2021, there were planned investments for revitalization of installations of the Kuçova base. And today we are almost at the end of the implementation of 3 important projects such as the fencing and security system, as well as the protection perimeter of the base. The NATO has invested approximately 50 million Euros and the Albanian government more than 5 million Euros “, explained the Commander of the Air Force.

Brigadier General Ferdinand Dimo spoke also about the functions that this base will perform.

“The Air Force troops will train at this base. But not only that, NATO troops and NATO aircraft can be accommodated, trained and fly from the Kuçova air base, which is already a NATO tactical air base,” Dimo said.

NATO’s tactical base in Kuçova will also serve positively in the economic development of the entire region of Berat.

“The construction of the NATO airbase in Kuçova has an extraordinary development impact in the community and in the entire area of the Berat region”, said Brigadier General Ferdinand Dimo.

Kuçova Air Base will be inaugurated on March 4, according to schedule. High representatives of the Albanian state, NATO and the USA will participate in the event. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

He emphasized that, “This airport will be transformed into a tactical base for national operations and strategically important operations of NATO in the Western Balkans”.

Meanwhile, Kingji held a meeting with the management staff and pilots at the Farka Air Base. During the meeting, they discussed on the arrival of two BlackHawk combat helicopters, which will be added to the Air Force fleet in context of the major investments towards the upgrade of the army, with the aim of increasing the operational capacities of the Armed Forces./p.s./

During a joint press conference with the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, the PM of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski, President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister of the Republic of Montenegro Millojko Spajic , PM Rama said that, “We strongly believe that everything that happens step by step reinforces the strategic value of such an investment, not just for Albania, not just for our entire region, but also for the NATO itself, which will gain another quick access to this side of Europe just in case and for the strategic purposes of common defense”.

The head of the government also underlined that, “Albania has met with the 2024 budget the 2% defense financing objective, as laid out by the NATO table for all member countries and we will continue to be very engaged and be very dedicated to strengthening our capacities to increase the efficiency of our Armed Forces and at the same time we remain at the forefront of NATO countries, a responsible and steadfast member in all common challenges”./p.s./

PM Rama stressed that this Air Base gives our country a new strategic weight in European security.

“This is how the Kuçova Air Base will be, which gives our country a new strategic weight in the European security space,” PM Rama stressed.

“The works on building Kuçova Air Base kick off. The Kuçova base will be transformed into a NATO tactical base. Thanks to this investment, the strategic importance of our country will increase”, it is said in the video posted by PM Rama.

“The works envisage the construction of armament depots, fuel depots, station against breakdowns and fires, the reconstruction of the runway and the control tower”, it is further emphasized in the video.

“The Albanian government covers the expropriation costs, the surrounding of the base, the construction of connecting roads as well as the completely new lines of electricity, water and telephone”, it is said in the video.

The investment in this base amounts to about 45.8 million Euros and the works are expected to be completed in the fall of 2023. /a.a/p.s./

In his speech at the event marking beginning of the works for modernization of the air base of Kuçova, Peleshi said that, “This project is both ambitious and important, not only for our national security, but above all for regional security”.

“The selection of Albania to develop this project is a clear evidence of the already consolidated capabilities of our country to take more responsibility and to continue prudently commitments and contributions to the security architecture of the region and beyond,” he said.

Moreover, Peleshi added, “This development happens at a turbulent period on the Alliance’s eastern borders. NATO presence in our country through the transformation of this base is strong evidence that Albania is an important ally in which NATO believes and appreciates the constructive role that our country plays in the region.”

“The construction of this base in our country, of course, is a clear message for actors with rival goals in the Western Balkans region. This investment strengthens our western orientation towards the EU and the USA. The increase of the western presence in our entire region is not a result of expansion, but it is a result of our will; it is our strategic, historical choice, to be on the side of the West”, said Peleshi.

He underlined that, “other projects and initiatives like the one in Kuçova are more than welcome in the future and we are confident that other developments will follow” ./ j.p / r.e /p.s./

After the government meeting, Defence Minister Niko Peleshi stated that, “In today’s meeting of the government we just approved a decision, which was a proposal of the Ministry of Defence. It is about the air base of Kuçova. Today’s decision completes the legal regulatory framework and paves the way for the beginning of works”.

“So, in early January we shall lay the foundation stone of the military base of Kuçova. A NATO base. Very good news for the families affected by today’s decision that covers even their expropriation. First of all, there will be the expropriation process, according to the full market value, based on all legal acts and obviously without any delay”, stressed Peleshi.

On the other hand, the minister added, “For the inhabitants of the surrounding area, it is positive news because this is a work tens of millions of Euros; it is over 50 million Euros investment, which means development, employment for the whole surrounding area”.

“On the other hand, more than that, this is good news for the whole region, for national security, but also for the security of the Western Balkans because we will have a NATO tactical air base which will give more security for today and for tomorrow “, said Peleshi./p.s./