TIRANA, January 14 – The head of Albanian Civil Aviation, Maksim Ethemaj, said that Tirana International Airport maintains a high safety level. He explained that camera systems, access control, and advanced security protocols protect passengers.

Next year, the airport will open six new gates. Officials will add 17 check-in counters. These improvements will make passenger movement easier.

Albania will start direct flights to Canada, Ethemaj said. The first flight outside Europe will take place in June. Daily flights will operate from Copenhagen. The airport will also add routes to several Swedish cities.

Officials are negotiating with Morocco, Norway, Qatar and the United States of America to expand the flight network, he added.

Ethemaj stressed that airlines cancel flights in bad weather to ensure passenger safety. He said passengers do not receive compensation for weather-related cancellations. He explained that airlines are not responsible for these delays. The rule follows the principle of force majeure.

Civil Aviation data show that twelve million tourists visited Albania in 2025. This growth increased passenger numbers at Tirana Airport. Ethemaj said it confirms the need to expand airline routes.

/a.p./