Air Albania
| Company type | Public–private partnership |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | May 16, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Tirana , Albania |
Area served | Europe |
| Products | Air transport services |
| Owner | Turkish Airlines (49.12%), Albcontrol (10%), MDN Investment (41%) |
Air Albania operates as the national airline of Albania, with its headquarters and main base situated at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza in Tirana. Established in 2018, the carrier connects passengers to eleven destinations across Europe.
Initial Phase
The previous Albanian flag carrier, Albanian Airlines, discontinued its services following the revocation of its operating license in November 2011.
On 30 March 2017, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed intentions to launch a new airline through a collaboration with Turkish Airlines. Subsequently, on 8 May 2017, Rama and Turkish Airlines executive İlker Aycı jointly announced the foundation of an airline headquartered in Albania, backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This venture was associated with the development of an international airport in Vlorë, a project undertaken with Turkish support. The brand name Air Albania was made public on 21 November 2017.
Air Albania was formally established on 16 May 2018 as a public–private partnership involving both Albanian and Turkish governments. Turkish Airlines owns 49.12% of the company, while the remaining 50.88% is publicly held, divided between Albcontrol (approximately 10%), a state-owned entity, and MDN Investment (around 41%), a private company. The Albanian competition authority gave its approval for the airline's formation in September 2018. Operations commenced in April 2019 using an Airbus A319 leased from Turkish Airlines.
Some controversy emerged regarding MDN Investment due to its recent formation shortly before Air Albania’s inception. Turkish Airlines contributed $30 million as initial capital. Furthermore, the Albanian government transferred land rights at Tirana International Airport to Albcontrol for this partnership, which raised questions about adherence to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement during Albania’s EU accession negotiations.
Progress since 2020
On 8 May 2020, Air Albania received a Third Country Operator (TCO) certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), authorizing it to conduct flights between Albania and EU member states. The airline expanded its fleet by incorporating a third aircraft in September 2021.
On 9 September 2022, Air Albania’s business license was temporarily suspended by Albanian authorities due to incomplete documentation; however, flight operations were allowed to continue. The operating license was reinstated on 14 September 2022 after the airline provided the necessary paperwork.
Destinations
Air Albania currently flies to the following locations:
Air Albania has established a codeshare agreement and strategic alliance with Turkish Airlines, enhancing its route network and expanding market presence.
Active fleet
As of now, the Air Albania fleet includes the following aircraft:
| Aircraft type | Quantity in service | Orders pending | Seating capacity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 2 | — | 180 | |
| Total | 2 | — | ||
Previously operated aircraft
In the past, Air Albania utilized these models:
- Boeing 737-800 (operated under lease from Turkish Airlines)
- Airbus A319-100 (leased from Turkish Airlines)
- Airbus A320-200 (leased from Turkish Airlines)
Aircraft designation
The airline honors prominent Albanians who have made significant cultural and societal contributions by naming its aircraft after them. Examples include Lasgushi for an Airbus A319-100, Migjeni and Fishta for two Airbus A320-200s.
Ownership
The ownership of Air Albania is divided among:
- Turkish Airlines: 49.12%
- Albcontrol (state-owned entity): 10%
- MDN Investment (private Albanian firm): 41%