Air Albania Inaugural Landing at Vlora Airport Sparks Controversy

With the 2025 parliamentary elections heating up, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku dusted off an old favorite: the glorified demo flight. This year, their spotlight falls on Vlora Airport—a much-touted project that, if we’re being honest, still looks more like a construction zone than an international gateway. Yet, that hasn’t stopped the government from rolling in Air Albania for a grand entrance, treating Albanians to a familiar—if unconvincing—display just days before voting.

On Monday, Rama took to social media with the enthusiasm of a home shopping host, declaring that “only three days separate us from the first landing in Vlora, kickstarting the final certification tests.” That all sounds great, if you ignore the glaring technical issues, the missing paperwork, and the minor detail that the airport can’t actually handle passenger flights safely or legally.

Behind the scenes, technical sources at the Civil Aviation Authority are rolling their eyes so hard they’re at risk of injury. According to these officials, the runway is still out of action for anything resembling regular travel. They point out that Air Albania previously flat-out refused to participate in this circus due to unresolved safety concerns and a lack of proper authorization.

Yet, the show must go on—government orders. A 40-seat Air Albania convenience plane gets paraded down the unfinished runway in what could best be described as a “symbolic opening,” scheduled with surgical precision three days ahead of the May 11 elections.

International safety standards? Considered, then discarded. The demo flight not only ignores basic safety protocols but blurs the line between campaign stunt and actual risk to passengers. Experts warn that the airport’s facilities haven’t been properly tested and that this maneuver disregards standard aviation rules. Political gain before public safety? That seems to be the only thing landing in Vlora so far.

Long story short:

• The Albanian government stages a so-called demonstration flight at Vlora Airport just before the elections.
• Vlora Airport is not finished and lacks proper certification for passenger flights.
• Air Albania was selected as the carrier despite procedural risks.
• Civil Aviation Authority sources say the runway isn’t ready.
• Air Albania previously refused involvement over safety and paperwork concerns.
• Safety protocols and international standards are overlooked for political showmanship.
• The flight appears to serve as a campaign prop, cloaked as progress.