The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, said for Euronews Albania that the government intends to make the future Vlora airport the main airport of the country.

“We aim to make Vlora Airport the main airport of the Republic of Albania. Vlora will have a different runway length. This will bring more competition between the two airports (the other being Tirana International Airport), hence better services. Obviously, it will be the citizens that will gain most out of it,” Balluku said in a TV show late on Thursday.

In regards to the new airport of Kukës, Minister Balluku said that the plan is for it to serve as a regional airport, while the planned airport of Saranda will work during the summer season to boost the tourism sector.

“The airport of Kukës is a regional airport. It is not only for Albania, but for Kosovo, too. It is an airport which serves the interests of the people in that area,” Balluku noted.

Furthermore, Minister Balluku said that the 2021 budget is mainly focused on the road and aviation infrastructure. During her interview, Balluku said that the budget of the Infrastructure Ministry is Lek 49 billion (around Euro 395 million), meanwhile the ministry has asked 50% more funds than this figure.