The government head took to the social media to post images of an old existing airfield in the UNESCO world heritage city of Gjirokastra, which is set to be the site for construction of Albania’s fourth airport .

“The old airfield in Gjirokastra, based on the feasibility study conducted in the Saranda-Gjirokastra area with the assistance of international expertise, will host the new tourist airport in Albania’s south, and the tender for its construction will be launched within the first six months of 2024,” PM Rama said.

The new airport project is part of the government ambitious plans to turn Albania into a year-round tourist destination and is expected to boost local economy, tourism and it will generate more employment.

The airfield of Gjirokastra hasn’t been operational since 1991. It was first built in 1929 to host mainly domestic flights for military purposes.

Besides its main airport in the capital Tirana, Albania has also an operating airport in the north eastern town of Kukes. A third airport in the southwestern port city of Vlora is under construction and it is set to start operations in 2025.

/u.sh/