Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku participated Thursday in the inauguration of the “Ryanair” company services, in the premises of the “Mother Teresa” International Airport.
In the speech delivered on this occasion, Rama said that “Ryanair” is the stamp that is put on a country when that country becomes a global destination.

“I have been waiting for this day for a long time and this day is related to the company ‘Ryanair’. The director of the company did not tell the whole truth, because we have been working for a long time to bring the ‘Ryanair’ airline to Albania and the reluctance to come to Albania was not simply related to the high airport tax, but to another fact that someone explained to me a couple of years ago. I told him how to get Ryanair start operations in Albania and he said: “Ryanair is not an airline, it is the stamp that is put on a country once that country turns into a global destination.” The fact that ‘Ryanair’ shuns you means that you have not become a global tourist destination yet,” said Rama.

The fact that “Ryanair” low cost carrier has started to operate at Rinas airport with 18 routes from Tirana to Europe shows that we have received an important stamp, which comes after a long effort to change the image of Albania.

“Albania today makes headlines in all international media as the destination that is not to be missed. Albania had the same beautiful sea 10 years ago, it had as many sunny days 10 years ago, and the mountains looked as charming as today, but unfortunately there was something missing to enable everyone from all over the world to come to Albania,” said Rama.

Rama emphasized that at the “Mother Teresa” International Airport, the flow of passengers is setting new records, reaching unimaginable figures until a short time ago, and thanks to the investments made, they have transformed the entire space beyond recognition, providing amenities for all passengers.

“Tirana Airport is a great success story of an Albanian company. After years under the heel of a concession that I don’t want to doubt was given with good intentions, since at the time and in all cases it brought change to Rinas Airport, on the other hand it was a terrible concession for the conditions it imposed on the state and the passengers”, he added.
Rama said that because of that concession, Tirana was the most expensive airport in Europe for companies and fares were extremely expensive.

“This situation has been completely reversed. We have not just freed the airport from that concession, this was also the result of the ambition and courage of the company which took over the airport from foreigners,” said Rama.
/r.e/sm/