The Gjirokastër Airport has officially resumed operations as a center for sports tourism, welcoming eight sports and tourist planes from Italy’s Sibari, Bari, and Brindisi airports today. This marks the first time in almost 90 years that aircraft have landed at this airport, which is the only facility in Albania certified for such flights.
With the establishment of customs and police services at the airport, pilots can now land without needing to divert to Tirana’s Rinas Airport. Teodor Bilushi, Honorary Consul of Italy in Gjirokastër, emphasized the significance of this development for tourism: “With customs and police services now available here, any pilot can follow the necessary aviation procedures and land directly at Gjirokastër. This will have a positive impact on tourism and open a new channel of communication between Gjirokastër and Europe.”
Italian pilot Alessandro Romanazzi Carducci commended the airport’s preparedness, stating, “We traveled from Italy, and the trip went very well, thanks to this beautiful day. The airport’s runway is well-suited for sports planes, and its infrastructure allows for safe landings.”
The operationalization of Gjirokastër Airport is expected to significantly impact the social and economic life of the region. It will foster growth for various businesses, including manufacturing and trade, while enhancing exchanges across different sectors.
With nearly a century of history, the airport officially commenced regular flights in 1929 on the Tirana-Gjirokastër-Tirana route. Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become one of the most important centers for year-round cultural tourism, consistently seeing an increase in visitors each year.
Located less than 1 km east of the city and in close proximity to the national road, Gjirokastër Airport is strategically positioned to serve as a gateway for both tourists and pilots alike.
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