TIRANA, April 1 – The exclusive rights that the country’s sole international airport has been holding on international flights for a decade have finally been lifted, paving the way for the operation of new airports that would increase competition and reduce current ticket prices, estimated among the region’s highest.
The deal is expected to activate the new United Arab Emirates-funded Kukes airport in north-eastern Albania and the construction of two new airports in southern Albania serving the tourism industry.
The long-awaited agreement comes after two years of intensive negotiations with the Tirana International Airport concessionaire, which will benefit a 2-year extension of its original 20-year build-operate-transfer concession contract for the opening of the new Kukes airport and half a year for each of the expected new Vlora and Saranda airports.
The newly expected operation of the Kukes airport near the Kosovo border will extend TIA’s concession contract until April 2027. Experts say that while the Kukes airport could reduce ticket prices, its location in northeastern Albania does not serve the country’s promising tourism industry a lot and only a new airport in southern Vlora and Saranda close to the Albanian Riviera, could really give a boost to tourism.
Speaking at a press conference, Transport Minister Edmond Haxhinasto described the deal as a landmark achievement.
“The major goal is achieving more competitive services which means lower ticket prices so that Albanian citizens receive the best service,” said Haxhinasto.
“With the introduction of other airport operators we aim to benefit from the low-cost carriers entering our market, as well as invite investors to develop not only the southern Albanian airport but in parallel the tourism infrastructure with resorts and more,” he added.
TIA executives also praised the deal.
“This is a landmark achievement. We are proud of what all the partners in this long process have been able to accomplish. Tirana International Airport is committed to continue providing high standard services to air transport in Albania,” said Holger Linkweiler, the chairman of the Administrative Council of TIA.
The deal also comes few days after a Chinese company has reportedly offered to take over the Tirana International Airport.
The airport concessionaire has often been criticized of its high charges to airlines contributing to the high ticket prices.
Experts and airline carriers blame the situation on the high tariffs charged by TIA concessionaire which has been in charge of the airport since April 2005 under a 20-year concession contract.
Passenger numbers at TIA have increased to about 1.9 million a year from a mere 600,000 a decade ago when the initially German-led concessionaire took over.
Since 2005, the consortium has invested more than €70 million in the airport’s reconstruction and expansion including a new terminal.
The consortium’s shareholders now include AviAlliance GmbH, a subsidiary of Canada-based PSP Investments with 47 percent, Germany’s DEG with 31.7 percent and the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund with a 21.3 percent stake.
