Tirana International Airport is an international aerodrome located in Tirana, the capital of the Republic of Albania. It serves the city of Tirana, the metropolitan area and the surrounding area in the Tirana district. The aerodrome was dedicated in honor of the Albanian Roman Catholic nun and missionary Mother Teresa. The airport is located 11 kilometers northwest of Tirana, in the Krujë region of Durrës District. While the airport primarily offers international connections within Europe, the most frequently used routes are Milan, Rome, London and Istanbul.
The aerodrome serves as the main hub for the country’s flag carrier Air Albania, Albawings and Wizz Air. Tirana Airport, the largest and busiest aerodrome in Albania, offers a regularly scheduled passenger service and is the seventh busiest Balkan airport. Private jet charter services frequently use Tirana Airport for flights to Albania due to its location.
Tirana private jet charter prices
Although Albania air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Tirana are as follows.
| Light Jet | 11.000 EUR |
| Midsize Jet | 14.050 EUR |
| Heavy Jet | 18.650 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Brief history of Tirana Airport during and after the communist era
After World War II and the establishment of an isolationist communist regime in Albania, air transport was rare. From 1944 and 1948 there was a service to Belgrade, but until 1953, after the cessation of relations with Yugoslavia, only twice-monthly flights were made to Budapest, operated by the Soviet-Hungarian company Maszovlet.
There was no air service from 1953 and 1955 until February 1955, when a route to Moscow and then to other Eastern-European capitals opened. Construction of Tirana International Airport began in 1955 and ended in 1957. In the 1970s, Tirana was one of the first European cities served by China’s CAAC Airlines, with a weekly flight to Beijing via Bucharest and Tehran. In the late 1980s, there were six airlines flying to Tirana, with a total of nine round trips per week.
After the collapse of communism, there was a liberalization of travel restrictions in Albania and abroad in 1991, and the number of airlines operating at the airport increased rapidly. In 1999 there were 8.249 flights and 356.823 passengers, seven times more than in 1991.
Following the investments made by Tirana International Airport SHPK, a consortium led by Hochtief AirPort, the airport’s air traffic equipment and facilities were greatly modernized. Hochtief took over the management of the airport on April 23, 2005 for a concession period of 20 years.
The concession included the construction of a completely new passenger terminal and various infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a new access road, new parking lots and a bridge over the old airport access road. The expansion resulted in an increase in annual passenger numbers from an estimated 1,5 million passengers for 2009. Passenger numbers effectively rose to over 1,5 million in 2010.
In 2017, China Everbright Limited became the sole owner of Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza. Hochtief AirPort has reached an agreement with the Albanian Government to end its monopoly on international flights from Albania. In 2017, China Everbright Limited became the sole owner of Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza. On December 25, 2020, Kastrati group purchased all shares of the airport from China Everbright Limited for 71 million euros.
Places to visit in Tirana
Tirana is one of the cities that managed to hide the texture its period, which was founded by the Ottoman Empire and is the capital and largest city of Albania today. Tirana, which is a quieter place compared to many travel destinations throughout Europe, is a more affordable tourism destination compared to other cities.
Tirana Pyramid is the most popular tourist attraction of the city. Another important point of the city is the Postbllok park, which was established to remind the sufferings of the communist era. The Bridge of Tabakëve, one of the most important crossing points of ancient times, is one of the must-see locations. Reja, which has a cloud-like structure, is one of the places where tourists take the most number of photographs.
Among the historical places that must be visited throughout the city are Haxhi bej Tirana Etëhem, Petrela Castle, Tirana National Archaeological Museum and National History Museum.
Tirana car rental, transportation from the airport to the city center
The easiest transportation from the airport, which is 17 kilometers away from the city, to the center of Tirana is provided by the Rinas Express buses operated by LUNA Travel. Buses departing every 15 minutes from outside the airport go to the city center, but these buses do not serve after 23:00. Another preferred way of transportation is the taxis located outside the airport. Taxis are available 24/7 and you can easily reach the city center for an average of 20 euros.
It is possible to obtain a vehicle from the private car rental services in the airport arrivals hall. Such services can take reservations in advance, so you can pick up your vehicle without waiting at the landing. Passengers who want to reach the city center with their private vehicle can reach the city center in approximately 30 minutes via SH2 and Rruga e Aeroportit/SH60. An alternative way is to use the SH1 main road, but this route takes about 30 minutes more than SH2.
