She shares insights into the airport’s growth and development, the strategic vision behind its latest developments, and the role of sustainable design in shaping the future of Albania’s main gateway to the world.
Tirana International Airport is undergoing a transformational phase, positioning itself as a leading regional hub in Southeastern Europe. After record passenger numbers, new strategic partnerships with airlines and major infrastructure upgrades, Tirana International Airport is preparing for another landmark year.
In early May 2025, the airport inaugurated several significant infrastructure projects, including a striking new terminal facade, an underground parking garage with direct access to the terminal, and significant airside improvements, such as a runway extension and new aircraft stands. These investments are aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing the passenger experience, and accommodating growing passenger volumes.
What are the business prospects for Tirana International Airport?
Tirana International Airport has now become a regional hub. The airport has experienced remarkable growth, starting with three million passengers in 2019, and ending last year with 10,7 million passengers. Passenger traffic is expected to continue to grow this year, with projections exceeding 12 million passengers.
Can you tell us more details about the new terminal facade?
The new terminal façade is a combination of metal, glass and light elements, which together create a unique visual effect. In addition to its aesthetics, the façade also has a functional purpose, connecting the underground car park with the front parking area and the passenger terminal, creating new spaces for passengers. With a total area of 40.000m², the façade not only harmonises the two previously separate phases of the terminal, built at different times, but also encompasses all future expansions planned for the departures and arrivals areas.
Can you tell us more about the underground garage project?
In parallel with the façade, a project for an underground garage, with a total area of 28.000m², was developed, providing 1.000 parking spaces for airport passengers — bringing the total number of parking spaces at Tirana International Airport to 3.000. The parking facility has direct access to the passenger terminal, facilitating movement in cases of heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions and significantly improving the overall passenger experience at the airport. Both the façade and the parking structure were completed in a record time of just three months, in order to be ready to handle the high volume of passengers during the summer season.
What investments have been completed on the air side so far?
Another important part of the investment was implemented in the airport's airside, where work progressed at a rapid pace. Five new positions for civil aviation aircraft (Category C) were completed, while two more are under construction. On May 14, six new positions for category B aircraft or private charter flights were finalized, bringing the total number of aircraft positions at the airport to 97. On the same day, the runway extension was also completed, allowing the runway to be fully operational at its full length of 3.000 meters.
These investments on the air side were accelerated not only to more efficiently manage the busy summer season, but also due to the need to facilitate the arrival of European leaders and delegations for the European Political Community Summit, which was held in Tirana on May 15 and 16.
Do you have any other significant milestones in development?
Key upcoming phases include the development of new spaces in the arrivals and departures areas, the expansion of physical and digital infrastructure for passenger processing, as well as a major project focused on sustainable development and energy production — one of our most ambitious goals.
(Tirana International Airport)
