Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has reportedly initiated procedures to terminate the concession agreement for the construction of Vlora International Airport, following months of tensions between the project's shareholder companies.

According to media reports citing sources familiar with the matter, the ministry began the process on Tuesday in an effort to ease the dispute that has contributed to delays in one of Albania's largest infrastructure projects. The ministry has not yet publicly confirmed the reported move.

Construction of Vlora International Airport began in 2021. Under the concession agreement, the project was expected to be completed within three years, with airport operations scheduled to begin in 2025. The project has since faced delays.

The development follows a dispute that escalated in May, when representatives of the two shareholder groups involved in the concession became embroiled in a conflict at the construction site. According to previous reports, employees linked to businessman Valon Ademi attempted to prevent staff associated with businessman Behgjet Pacolli from entering the airport site.

The dispute prompted a series of public statements, particularly from Pacolli, who called for legal intervention. Albania's Supreme Court later ruled in his favor, allowing work on the airport project to continue.

It remains unclear how the reported termination process could affect the future of the concession, the project's completion timeline, or the parties involved. Albanian authorities have not yet released further details.