Tirana Airport overtakes Belgrade as largest in Western Balkans

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama said that the aviation sector remains a top government priority, highlighting significant growth in air travel accessibility and infrastructure development.

Speaking before the parliamentary group of the ruling Socialist Party, Rama said access to flights for Albanian citizens has risen from 13% in 2019 to 34%, thanks to the liberalization of the air transport market, which introduced new carriers, lowered ticket prices, and increased flight frequency, CE Report quotes ATA.

“Tirana has become a key hub for regional aviation,” Rama said, recalling that airfares from Albania were once among the highest in Europe.

He added that Tirana International Airport now has the largest capacity in the Western Balkans, surpassing regional competitor Belgrade Airport.

The airport currently offers 80 destinations across 27 airlines and handled 11.6 million passengers in 2025, marking a 247% increase compared with 2019, Rama said.

The government head also confirmed that the international airport in the coastal city of Vlorë is in its final construction phase. The airport will serve transoceanic flights as well as new business operations, including cargo and aircraft maintenance, under agreements with international partners.

Rama concluded that his government intends to continue expanding airport capacities and improving international air connectivity, positioning Albania as a major aviation hub in the region.