Tirana international airport expands with tourism to Albania

By Scott Wayne l Special to eTN
To accommodate growing demand for travel to Albania and aiming to receive up to one million passengers a year, the Tirana International Airport (TIA) company opened a new terminal today. According to Albania's Ministry of Tourism, The airport experienced a 15.5 percent increase in passengers in 2006. International tourism arrivals overall increased more than 28 percent and more than 68 percent from Germany alone in 2006. Traffic from Germany is expected to grow this year, as Lufthansa is to launch scheduled service to Albania.

The TIA was privatized and a 20 year concession, which began in April 2005, was won by a consortium that includes HOCHTIEF AirPort (HTA), DEG Deutsche and the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund (AAEF).

Dr. Reinhard Kalenda, chairman of TIA's Administrative Council and CEO of HOCHTIEF AirPort, said: "Albania has experienced a major transformation in recent years. We are very happy now to provide it with a modern facility that matches international standards. It is a fine example of how even small airports can be run with great commercial success.”

"Just two weeks ago, Lufthansa announced that it is considering the possibility of conducting two direct flights a day from Munich to Tirana," the airport CEO added. "I would be delighted if these plans materialize."

Albanian Prime Minister Dr. Sali Berisha emphasized that the international airport is of great strategic interest for Albania. "Tirana International Airport is our showcase. The successful implementation of this project will hopefully encourage other investors to follow suit," said the prime minister.

This new terminal building, designed by Malaysian architect Hin Tan, will house eight souvenir and duty-free shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. There will be a restaurant both in departures and arrivals, while just outside the terminal a covered piazza-style bar with traditional Albanian stone facade will offer a very pleasant and relaxing view of the building and its surrounds. It satisfies the most sophisticated of demands and will make a major contribution to the urban transformation of the Albanian capital of Tirana.

The new building will offer all services expected by international best practices. Passengers will not only be processed quickly and securely through the new terminal, but also be able to enjoy the wide range of services that are now available, the many shops and comfortable seats in a pleasant environment, while waiting for their flights.

HOCHTIEF participates in airport privatizations and acquires airport concessions. It currently has stakes in the airports of Athens, DГѓВјsseldorf, Hamburg, Sydney and Tirana.

DEG, a member of KfW Banking Group, has been financing and structuring the investments of private enterprises in developing and transition countries for more than 40 years. It is one of the largest European finance institutions for the promotion of the private sector.

AAEF was founded by the US government with the aim of supporting the development of the private sector in Albania. It offers financing and management assistance to private Albanian companies.

Scott Wayne is currently the special advisor to USAID EDEM Tourism Project

March 26, 2007   Posted in: Albania