Description
Rinas Airport, today called Tirana International Airport "Mother Teresa" was built during the period 1955-1957. Aeroflot, Jat, Malev, Tarom and Interflug were the airlines operating in Albania until 1960. Traffic reached up to two flights per day.
The early days
After 1960 to 1978, many airlines ceased their operations in Albania, due to the political isolation of the country after the termination of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, which resulted in a decrease in the number of passengers and flights.
1978 - 2003
During the period 1965-1974, several improvements to airport services were carried out and implemented.
During the 1980s and 1990s, as a result of the general technological development in the field of civil aviation throughout the world, Albania also undertook a series of improvements to airport services in order to adapt to the required international standards.
As a result of the political changes in Eastern Europe, the contacts of government officials with Western countries increased significantly.
The establishment of TIA
As a result of the political and social changes in Albania during the years 1992 - 2000, the number of flights and airlines operating in Albania increased. Facing the needs for further development of Tirana International Airport "Mother Teresa", the Council of Ministers decided to announce for international investors the construction of a new terminal and other services, as well as the operation of the airport. The competitive procedures were closed at the end of 2003 and on April 23, 2005 Tirana International Airport (TIA, a consortium consisting of HOCHTIEF Airport GmbH, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft bmH (DEG) and the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund (FSHAN)) began operations at Tirana International Airport "Mother Teresa".
In 2005, TIA took over Rinas Airport when it handled around 600,000 passengers. Twelve years later, demonstrating significant growth, the Airport provides services to more than 1.9 million passengers annually and is now a modern gateway to the country, changing the image of Albania. Since 2005, more than 70 million EUR have been invested in the development and expansion of the Airport.
On April 1, 2016, the Government of Albania and TIA signed an amendment to the TIA Concession Agreement and took a big step towards the development of air transport and the liberalization of international flights in Albania. The TIA Concession period was immediately extended by two years, i.e. until April 2027, in exchange for the opening of Kukes Airport for international flights.
On April 1, 2016, the Government of Albania and TIA signed an amendment to the TIA Concession Agreement, taking a significant step towards the development of air transport and the liberalization of international flights in Albania. The term of the TIA Concession was immediately extended for another two years, namely until April 2027, allowing the opening of Kukes Airport for international flights.
On October 6, 2016 China Everbright Limited (CEL stock code: 165.HK), an international investment and asset management company located in Hong Kong, takes possession of 100% of TIA's share capital.
Today
As of December 18, 2020, Kastrati Group, a leading independent company based in Albania, founded in 1990, owns 100% of TIA's share capital. Kastrati Group was established in the early 1990s in Albania. Through the network and representative offices; Kastrati Group is prominently positioned in all important regions around the world.
