Hundreds of other Albanians have made the difficult choice to receive treatment in Turkish hospitals since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told BIRN in response to a request for information that as of November 18, there had been 565 "medical flights" from Rinas, the vast majority of which were in October and November.

CAA data show that the number of flights increased from 5 in May, when the COVID-19 epidemic was still under control, to 152 flights during October. November set a new record with 206 medical flights to date.

From the data collected by two companies that provided ambulance service, Albanian patients have spent about 6.7 million euros only for flights abroad. The minimum expenses for the days of their stay in Turkish hospitals are estimated to have cost another 12 million euros.

BIRN learned that the average price for a charter flight costs 12,000 euros, while a night in a Turkish hospital costs an average of 1,200 euros. COVID-19 patients spend a minimum of 15 days in hospital.

"In total, I spent 45.000 euros, only the charter 15.000 euros and 30.000 euros in hospital stay for 20 days," said Bilal A. 

He added that the expenses did not include the return with a normal passenger plane with his brother and other expenses.