Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Albania’s ambitious vision to become a leading tourism destination in Europe is gaining altitude—literally. The country is preparing to launch operations at its first international airport on the southern coast, located in Vlora, a strategic port city along the Albanian Riviera.
The development is a pivotal step in Prime Minister Edi Rama’s tourism-led economic transformation plan, which includes new highways, energy investments, and luxury resort development.
Scheduled to start charter operations in summer 2025 and full commercial flights later in the year, the Vlora International Airport represents a $170 million investment that will reshape southern Albania’s connectivity with Europe and beyond.
This development is supported by Albania’s government and operated under a 35-year concession agreement awarded in 2019 to a consortium led by Behgjet Pacolli, a Kosovo-Swiss businessman and former President of Kosovo.
Gateway to the Albanian Riviera
The new Vlora Airport lies just 10 kilometers from the city center and features a 3.2-kilometer runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. This capacity makes it one of the few airports in the Balkans that can handle long-haul intercontinental flights. With an initial projected capacity of 2 million passengers annually, the airport aims to reach 10 million passengers per year within the next decade.
According to Valon Lluka, Chief Executive Officer of Vlora Airport, the facility will act as a “vital gateway to the Albanian Riviera,” easing access to the 500-kilometer stretch of pristine coastline that has increasingly become a magnet for international visitors seeking affordability and authenticity over the saturated destinations of Greece or Croatia.
In an interview with local media and government outlets, Lluka said, “Vlora Airport is a strategic investment for boosting tourism in southern Albania. It reflects our ambition to become a major player in Mediterranean tourism and diversify our tourism season beyond just summer months.”
A Broader Tourism and Economic Strategy
Vlora Airport is not a standalone project—it is the centerpiece of a multi-billion-euro initiative aimed at elevating Albania’s tourism infrastructure. According to the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, which oversees airport development, this new facility will ease the passenger load from Tirana International Airport, which handled 10.7 million passengers in 2024, a dramatic rise from pre-pandemic levels of around 3 million.
With increasing pressure on Tirana and the need to decongest the capital’s transport hubs, the Albanian government is redirecting infrastructure and tourism investments toward coastal and regional cities, particularly Vlora and Saranda. This approach also aligns with Visit Albania, the national tourism promotion campaign managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, which emphasizes balanced, sustainable tourism development across the country.
Kushner’s Luxury Resort: A $1.4 Billion Vision
The opening of Vlora Airport is closely tied to one of the region’s most talked-about developments: a $1.4 billion luxury resort planned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Located on Sazan Island, just off the coast from Vlora, the proposed resort will target high-net-worth international tourists seeking exclusivity and luxury in a pristine Mediterranean setting.
While full details of the Kushner-led project are still emerging, Prime Minister Rama has openly linked the success of the airport and surrounding developments to this ambitious vision. “This airport is a mirror of our ambition,” Rama stated during a recent tour of the site. “The goal is for the entire development on the island and surrounding area to create a powerful magnet for Vlora and Albania.”
Strategic Economic Importance
Tourism is a cornerstone of Albania’s economic model, accounting for approximately 20% of the country’s GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Additionally, one in five Albanians is employed in the tourism sector, further emphasizing the industry’s importance to national prosperity. Government data from INSTAT—Albania’s official statistics institute—revealed that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in 2024 nearly doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels, setting a new national record.
However, the country still faces development hurdles. Despite a decade of rapid economic growth, Albania remains one of Europe’s poorest nations, and population decline due to emigration has led to a 20% reduction in total population during Rama’s 12-year tenure. The government hopes that mega-projects like the Vlora Airport and associated luxury developments will help reverse the brain drain, create jobs, and attract skilled labor and investment from abroad.
International Interest from Low-Cost Carriers
According to Lluka, negotiations are already underway with several major low-cost carriers eager to establish routes to and from Vlora Airport. While he declined to name specific airlines, insiders suggest that Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet have expressed “strong interest,” given their aggressive expansion strategies in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
Low-cost operations will be critical in drawing travelers from Central and Western Europe, especially from countries with large Albanian diaspora communities such as Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Lluka added that the airport is not solely focused on seasonal travel. “This airport isn’t just for the summer months—we aim to make it a year-round hub, serving both tourists and the nearly 1.5 million Albanians living abroad,” he said.
Boost to the Albanian Riviera
The development of Vlora Airport is expected to unlock the tourism potential of the Albanian Riviera, which includes untouched beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites like Butrint, and charming towns like Himara and Dhermi. Until now, the region’s relative isolation from international air travel has limited its exposure on the global tourism map.
The Albanian Ministry of Tourism states that the airport will enable greater promotion of eco-tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and luxury travel—all central themes of the country’s long-term tourism development strategy. Additionally, the airport could facilitate greater investment in infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and transport services, further enhancing the visitor experience.
Conclusion
With the launch of Vlora International Airport, Albania is taking a monumental step toward establishing itself as a European tourism powerhouse.
The combination of state-backed infrastructure, private investment from high-profile international developers, and strong growth in tourist arrivals suggests that Vlora is well on its way to becoming the next major destination on the Mediterranean map.
Whether you’re a diaspora traveler, a backpacker exploring new coasts, or a luxury tourist drawn by Kushner’s development, Vlora Airport stands ready to be your gateway to the Albanian Riviera—a region where history, natural beauty, and modern ambition converge. For more information on Albania’s tourism initiatives, visit www.turizmi.gov.al, the official portal of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania.
