Vlora, a fast-growing Mediterranean beach destination on the Albanian Riviera, now has its own international airport! The first certification flight took place on May 8, 2025 — and regular commercial flights will begin this summer.
Until now, Albania had only two international airports — in Tirana (the capital) and Kukës. Most travelers flew into Tirana, then took a long bus ride to the coast. Not exactly ideal.
With the new airport in Vlora, getting straight to the beach just got easier.
🚗 Want to explore Albania? A car is still a must!
Even with this new airport, renting a car remains the best way to explore Albania. For that, I always recommend Localrent — one of the top car rental services in the Balkans. They work in Greece, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Bulgaria, and beyond.
🛫 Airport facts & figures
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💶 Investment: €104 million
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📐 Area: 309 hectares
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🛬 Runway: 3.2 km
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🌍 IATA Code: VLO
The airport can handle large transatlantic aircraft and includes a cargo terminal as well.
🛩 New Airline Alert: Air Kosova
Alongside the launch of Vlora Airport, Albania welcomes a new national airline — Air Kosova. It’s the second Albanian airline after Air Albania. Air Kosova will be based at Kukës Airport, which currently serves low-cost and domestic routes but is still under the radar for most travelers.
🛡 Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Albania is a safe country, but if you’re planning an active trip, travel insurance is your safety net. It costs almost nothing, saves money in emergencies, and gives you peace of mind.
We usually buy our policy through Hotline Finance (Україна) — since 2025, you can store it on your phone and show it when needed.
📱 Essential Travel Tools
- ✈️ Flights: Aviasales
- 🏨 Hotels & stays: Booking.com
- 🚗 Car rental in Albania: Local Rent
- 🧭 Tours & activities: GetYourGuide
Having a car in Albania gives you total freedom: off-the-beaten-path routes, fast access to hidden gems, your own luggage space, and no need to rely on public transport.
If you want to see the real Albania — a car is a must!
