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| Founded | 16 May 2018; 7 years ago (2018-05-16) | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 14 September 2018; 7 years ago (2018-09-14)[2] | ||||||
| Hubs | Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza | ||||||
| Fleet size | 1 | ||||||
| Destinations | 13 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Tirana, Albania | ||||||
| Key people | Sinan Isik (CEO)[3] | ||||||
| Employees | 140 | ||||||
| Website | airalbania.com.al | ||||||
Air Albania is theflag carrier ofAlbania.[4][5] The airline maintains itshub and company headquarters at theTirana International Airport Nënë Tereza inTirana, Albania. Founded in 2018, it serves eleven destinations in Europe.
Albania's previous national flag carrier airline,Albanian Airlines, was rendered defunct when the Albanian government revoked its license to operate in Albania on 11 November 2011.[6][7][8]
Albanian Prime MinisterEdi Rama announced on 30 March 2017 that the Albanian government was planning to create an airline in Albania in partnership with Turkish Airlines. On 8 May 2017, Rama andİlker Aycı, executive director of Turkish Airlines, released a joint press statement, declaring that an Albania-based airline was in the works, with support from Turkish presidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was later announced that Air Albania's founding was tied to the creation of an international airport inVlorë, also planned in cooperation with the Turkish government. Rama unveiled the name of the new airline, Air Albania, on 21 November 2017.[9]
Air Albania was founded on 16 May 2018 by aconsortium led by the Albanian and Turkish governments under apublic–private partnership.Turkish Airlines, a founding partner, owns 49.12% of Air Albania.[10] The remaining 50.88% is publicly traded,[10] currently split betweenAlbcontrol, a corporation owned by the Albanian government, with roughly 10%, and MDN Investment, a privately held company in Albania, with roughly 41% of shares.[7] Albania's national competition authority cleared the airline's creation in September 2018.[11] AnA319 on lease from Turkish Airlines operated the airline'smaiden flight in April 2019.[citation needed]
Controversy behind the airline's founding erupted when it was discovered that founding partner MDN Investment had been founded nine days prior, on 7 May 2018.Turkish Airlines contributed 30 million dollars in their start-up.[12] Moreover, on 16 May 2018, the Albanian government had given control of the land on which theTirana International Airport was built toAlbcontrol in order to participate in the public-private partnership. Due to lack of public comment, Albania may have violated theStabilisation and Association Agreement it had signed during itsaccession process to theEuropean Union.[10]
TheEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted Air Albania a Third Country Operator (TCO) certificate on 8 May 2020,[13] permitting Air Albania to operate flights between Albania and theEuropean Union. In September 2021, the airline added a third aircraft to its fleet for the first time.[14]
On 9 September 2022, the Albanian authorities suspended the airline's business license as the airline failed to provide necessary documentation; however, it was allowed to continue all flight operations.[15][16]
On 14 September 2022, Albanian authorities reactivated the business license as the airline provided all the necessary documentation and is continuing its operations.[17]
On 19 November 2025, Turkish Airlines told investors it had decided to sell all its shares in Air Albania.[18]
Air Albania flies to the following destinations:
Air Albania has acodeshare agreement with and full support ofTurkish Airlines.[28]
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As of August 2025[update], Air Albania operates the following aircraft:[29]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 | — | 180 | |
| Total | 1 | — | ||
In the past, Air Albania has operated the following aircraft types:[citation needed]
The airline names aircraft after Albanians who have contributed to Albanian culture and society, such asLasgushi (Airbus A319-100),Migjeni (Airbus A320-200) andFishta (Airbus A320-200).[31][32]
Air Albania is structured as a joint venture:
(in English)
Media related toAir Albania at Wikimedia Commons
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Employees: 37,670 (2020)Stock ticker:THYAO | ||
