Turkish Airlines is contributing to the launch of Air Albania
Albania, a small country with about 2.8 million inhabitants, does not have a local airline. Albania Airlines, the state-owned company, went bankrupt in 2011. And Belle Air, a low-cost private carrier, went bankrupt in 2013. Market information announces the launch of Air Albania.
Albania, a small country with about 2.8 million inhabitants, has been left without a local air carrier. Potentially exists in the region. The country's main airport - the "Mother Teresa" International Airport in Tirana - registered in 2017 a traffic of 2.6 million passengers. Many companies operate seasonal flights, connecting the Albanian capital with the main cities in Europe.
From 2017, there is a project under discussion between Turkish Airlines and the Albanian government, which will materialize through the establishment of Air Albania. Theoretically, the new air carrier should start operating on 31 August 2018.
Launch of Air Albania
Air Albania will be 51% owned by Albcontrol and MDN Investment, while Turkish Airlines will own 49%. To begin with, Air Albania will have 2 Airbus A319 aircraft, which will be leased from the Turkish carrier. Turkish Airlines will also provide technical and administrative support.
The first route will be Tirana - Istanbul, of course. Subsequently, the operational network is planned to be extended to Prishtina, Skopje, Zagreb, Podgorica, Sarajevo and other important destinations in Europe such as: London, Brussels, Athens, Milan, Munich and Barcelona.
At the same time, Albanians are hoping for a direct transatlantic route from Tirana to New York, which should theoretically start by the end of this year.
Will it be a success or not?
PS Yes, we know about Albawings with most flights to Italy.