Construction works on Albania’s Vlora international airport have stalled due to shareholder disputes and ongoing court proceedings, Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Friday.
“Physical blockage of the construction site, legal disputes between shareholders, and contract breaches have caused critical delays and reputational damage to the project. This conduct will not be tolerated, and the state will use all legal means to ensure compliance with obligations,” Karakaci said during a press conference.
According to the minister, every day of delay in implementing the project translates into economic losses for tourism operators, the local community, and the state budget, while also damaging Albania’s image in the eyes of foreign investors.
Karakaçi emphasized that concessionary airports of a strategic nature are under the state’s supervision, which ensures their operation in accordance with the legal and contractual framework.
The minister underlined that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has followed all phases of the project in accordance with legal and contractual obligations, while expressing concern about the delays created.
According to him, the conflict that has hindered the development of the airport is a civil and contractual dispute between private parties, where the Ministry is not a party and does not hold an interest in favor of any shareholder.
However, he stressed that the Albanian state has the obligation to guarantee that no dispute between private entities prevents the realization of an infrastructure of national importance.
He added that the recent events are unpleasant both for Albanian citizens, for whom this infrastructure work is important, and for the Albanian government and state, which aims to develop tourism and the economy through this investment.
He added that the Ministry is ready to use all legal and contractual instruments, including the activation of relevant clauses, to ensure the opening and functioning of Vlora Airport according to the established deadlines.
Field work for the construction of Vlora International Airport officially started in November 2021 by the consortium Mabco Construction, YDA Group, and 2A Group.
According to the initial contract plan and investor statements, the airport was expected to be completed within about three years, with the aim of being functional and starting operations within this period.
The airport was originally planned to open in 2025. A consortium led by Swiss-based Mabco Constructions has been contracted to build the facility designated to serve as a supplementary airport to Albania’s main international airport in Tirana, as well as a gateway to popular tourist destinations in the country’s Riviera.
However, in October, local media reported about a legal dispute between the shareholders of the consortium – Mabco Constructions, which owns 98%, and local firm 2A Group, which holds the remaining 2% – over plans to increase 2A’s stake to 49%. In December, Prime Minister Edi Rama said the contract mandated the partners to complete construction works by mid-2026.
The commissioning of the airport will enable direct connections to European and regional destinations, extend the tourist season, increase the flow of visitors, and facilitate foreign investment in the coastal area.