Albania’s Supreme Court has brought an end to months of deadlock surrounding the construction of Vlora International Airport, restoring the administrative rights of MABCO Constructions S.A. over the concession company operating the project.

In a ruling issued on Tuesday, the court removed all legal and administrative obstacles that had prevented MABCO — owned by businessman Behgjet Pacolli and the majority shareholder in the project — from managing activities at the construction site.

The decision effectively overturns a controversial series of lower court rulings that had stripped MABCO of its voting rights despite the company carrying the main financial burden of the investment.

The ruling is expected to pave the way for the normalization of operations at the airport site in the coming days. Construction work had stalled in recent weeks even though the project was reportedly in its final phase, requiring only final technical interventions before the terminal could become operational.

The dispute between shareholders began after 2A Group claimed control over 47% of the airport’s shares. The conflict entered a lengthy legal battle marked by unexpected court decisions, and since September 2025 MABCO’s rights to exercise administrative control over the project had been suspended.

In practice, day-to-day management of the construction site shifted under the control of 2A Group.

During the past eight months, MABCO repeatedly requested permission to continue work in accordance with its original shareholding structure while the ownership dispute over the 47% stake proceeded through the courts.

Instead, construction activity slowed significantly before coming to a complete halt. Tensions escalated further with reported incidents involving blocked access for MABCO employees and contractors, as well as police involvement during several confrontations made public by both parties.

The airport’s prolonged inactivity became a major issue in Albanian media due to its anticipated economic impact and the expectations tied to tourism development in southern Albania. The opening of Vlora International Airport has been considered one of the country’s most strategic investments, expected to improve tourist access to the Albanian Riviera and stimulate the regional services economy.

MABCO has consistently argued that delays were not caused by financial or technical problems, but by what it described as administrative and legal obstruction imposed by the company linked to businessman Valon Ademi.

The Swiss-based company has also pledged to conduct an international audit aimed at certifying construction safety standards and resuming the airport’s final inspection and certification process.