Key Takeaways
• Vlora International Airport’s runway certified with Behgjet Pacolli’s flight on May 8, 2025, enabling commercial flights by summer.
• The €140 million project features a 3.2 km runway and terminal for 2 million passengers, supporting Air Albania and Air Kosova.
• Environmental groups raise concerns over impacts on Vjosa-Narta lagoon’s bird habitats, urging stricter protection measures and ongoing wildlife monitoring.
Vlora International Airport in Albania is preparing to become fully operational, marking a major step forward for the country’s aviation growth. The airport reached an important milestone on May 8, 2025, when a private plane belonging to Behgjet Pacolli landed, allowing for certification of its runway. This event, which followed years of planning and construction, has brought Albania closer to launching new commercial flights for travelers. The opening of Vlora International Airport is expected to take place in the summer of 2025, with several airlines ready to start offering service.
This new airport is not just another building project; it is a symbol of Albania’s efforts to modernize its travel network and increase its connections to the rest of Europe and beyond. It will also open new opportunities for tourism and make southern Albania much easier to reach. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this airport’s impact is expected to be felt not only in travel but also in the country’s economy and job market.
How Vlora International Airport Was Built
The new airport began to take shape in late 2021. Its construction has been led by a partnership involving Mabetex Group, which is owned by Behgjet Pacolli, a well-known businessman from Kosovo. Other important partners include the Turkish company YDA Construction Industry and Trade, as well as 2A Group sh.p.k. These partners have invested about 140 million euros in the project, which is one of the largest airport investments ever seen in Albania.
The chosen location is about 10 kilometers north of Vlorë, a popular city in southwestern Albania close to the Adriatic coast. The airport sits on a large piece of land—309 hectares—and features a runway that is 3.2 kilometers long. This runway can handle large, wide-body planes like the Airbus 330-340 or Boeing 777, which can bring travelers from far away more easily. The airport also has a parallel taxiway that matches the length of the runway, allowing planes to move on and off the runway quickly and safely.
The terminal building is another standout feature. At 22,000 square meters, the terminal is four times larger than first planned, showing the ambition of the development team. This large space will be able to welcome millions of passengers per year and offer modern facilities for travelers.
Main Timeline and Certification Steps
Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, led by Minister Belinda Balluku, has been closely involved in every phase of the airport’s development. In April 2025, the minister announced that the airport’s opening would take place in early May, with the first official flight operated by Air Albania.
On May 8, 2025, Behgjet Pacolli’s private plane landed at the new facility, carrying out an official certification flight. This completed an important safety requirement, certifying that the runway met all standards for flight operations. After this step, the airport was granted its own IATA code, VLO, an international designation that will identify it for travelers and airlines.
The final steps toward full commercial service are now being taken, with regular passenger flights set to begin in the summer of 2025. This timing is key for the busy travel season, as many tourists and Albanians living overseas return home or explore the region during the warmer months.
What Will Happen at Vlora International Airport?
When the airport opens for full service in summer 2025, it will be able to handle up to 2 million travelers a year. This number reflects both the growing tourist interest in Albania and the government’s hope that the country will soon be a strong choice for international travelers.
But the plans do not stop there. Long-term goals include expanding the terminal, building a larger cargo area for goods and supplies, and even creating a flight academy to train new pilots and aviation workers right at the airport.
Vlora International Airport will be Albania’s third international airport, joining Tirana International Airport and Kukës Airport as key travel hubs. With the addition of Vlora, the southern region of the country—known for its natural beauty—will have much better air links.
Airlines and Their Plans for the New Airport
Two main airlines will play leading roles at Vlora International Airport.
Air Albania is set to run the first commercial flight from the airport. It is also expected to use the new facility as a main hub, meaning several flights per day will start or end there. Air Albania is part-owned by the national airline of Turkey and has pushed hard to increase connections to and from Albania as part of the country’s tourism goals.
Air Kosova, a newly formed airline, is also planning to start flights at Vlora International Airport. The airline has already been registered to operate in Albania’s expanding air market. Air Kosova is expected to operate flights not only from Vlora but also from the Kukës airport with two aircraft. This move is part of Albania’s plan to improve regional air links and attract visitors from neighboring countries.
For travelers, these new routes will mean more choices and, likely, lower costs as airlines compete for business. For those living and working in Albania, having more airlines and routes could open up international job, travel, and study opportunities.
Boost for Tourism and the Economy
The Albanian government has highlighted that Vlora International Airport will do more than make travel easier; it will help the country’s economy and support its growing tourism sector.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has explained that the airport is a central piece of Albania’s tourism and economic plan. He has predicted that the airport could help create up to 27,000 jobs, both directly at the airport and in businesses that support or depend on increased travel, such as hotels, restaurants, and retail shops.
Recent statistics already show a jump in tourism in the area. Visitor numbers during the first four months of 2025 were up by 30% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth could get even stronger when the new airport opens and makes it easier for people to fly directly to southern Albania.
The presence of a modern airport can also attract investors and companies, not just tourists. Businesses often look for easy connections when choosing new sites for offices, factories, or shops. Vlora International Airport could help the region become a stronger target for investment and economic activity.
Environmental Challenges and Local Concerns
While there is much excitement about the economic benefits, the airport has also drawn criticism from environmental groups and conservationists. The main point of concern is the airport’s site, which is close to the Vjosa-Narta lagoon. This area is a protected coastal wetland that is home to about 200 species of birds and sits along a major migration path for many species, including some that are endangered.
International organizations, including the European Commission, have stated that the approval for Vlora International Airport did not follow national and international conservation laws. These groups argue that the noise and activity from planes could put birds at great risk, especially the endangered Dalmatian pelican. There are also worries about the risk of planes colliding with large groups of birds, which can be dangerous for both the birds and air travelers.
Local and international environmentalists want the Albanian government and airport developers—such as Mabetex Group and its partners—to take extra steps to protect wildlife and follow best practices in construction and airport management. Suggestions have included scheduled flight paths that avoid sensitive habitats, changes to flight times, and ongoing wildlife monitoring.
What the Airport Means for Albania’s Future
The development of Vlora International Airport comes as Albania aims to keep up with other countries in the region that are modernizing their travel networks. For years, Tirana International Airport handled most of the country’s international air traffic. With the opening of Kukës Airport and now Vlora International Airport, different parts of the country can share in the economic boost that strong air connections can bring.
In practical terms, this means that residents of southern Albania—and visitors hoping to reach popular beach towns or historic cities—no longer have to travel all the way to the capital to catch an international flight. This could save both time and money for many people.
The airport is also expected to encourage Albanians living abroad, especially those in other parts of Europe, to visit and invest in their home regions. This “reverse migration,” where people return at least part of the year, is seen as a possible way to strengthen local communities and create new business links.
Steps to Opening and What to Watch Next
With the first certification flight finished and the runway cleared for full use, there are only a few final inspections, equipment tests, and staff training steps left before commercial flights can begin. Airline schedules, ticket sales, and final route announcements are expected soon.
Travelers and workers interested in the developments at Vlora International Airport can follow updates by checking with the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority, which provides official details about airports, airline permits, and air safety standards.
Key Takeaways
- Vlora International Airport, located about 10 km north of Vlorë, is almost ready to open for commercial flights.
- The airport is being developed by a group led by Mabetex Group, owned by Behgjet Pacolli, along with Turkish and Albanian partners, for a total cost of around 140 million euros.
- The airport will handle up to 2 million travelers per year and serve as a new hub for Air Albania and the new airline Air Kosova.
- This project is expected to help Albania’s economy by supporting tourism, creating up to 27,000 jobs, and improving the country’s connections to Europe and beyond.
- However, environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact on protected bird habitats near the Vjosa-Narta lagoon.
- The airport will join Tirana and Kukës as Albania’s third international airport, making travel easier for both locals and tourists.
As Albania prepares for the grand opening of its newest airport, many eyes are on Vlora International Airport. The coming months will show whether the project strikes the right balance between economic progress and protecting natural resources. The steps taken now by the developers, airlines, and regulators will have long-lasting effects on travel, tourism, and the local environment.
Learn Today
IATA code → A unique three-letter identifier assigned to airports by the International Air Transport Association for airline operations.
Wide-body plane → A large passenger aircraft with two aisles, such as Boeing 777 or Airbus 330, used for long-haul flights.
Certification flight → A test flight conducted to validate and approve airport facilities and equipment for safe commercial operations.
Vjosa-Narta lagoon → A protected wetland near the airport site, home to around 200 bird species, significant for biodiversity and conservation.
Terminal → The main airport building where passengers check in, board planes, and access various travel services and amenities.
This Article in a Nutshell
Vlora International Airport is ready to transform southern Albania’s connectivity. Certified in May 2025, it will soon handle 2 million travelers annually. This major €140 million investment enhances tourism and commerce, but raises environmental concerns. Its opening marks a dramatic shift for Albania’s economy, job opportunities, and international links.
— By VisaVerge.com
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