Clashes at Vlora/Karakaçi airport: Delays and damage have been caused, the state will take measures

2026-05-22 12:34:00, Aktualitet CNA

Clashes at Vlora/Karakaçi airport: Delays and damage have been caused,

The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, spoke at a media conference regarding the conflict over Vlora airport between the two companies "Mabco" and "2A".

Karakaçi stated that every day of blockage or delay in work at this airport translates into economic losses for tourism operators, the local community and the state budget.

He expressed that this is worrying, adding that this behavior by the two parties involved in the conflict will not be tolerated and the state will use all legal means to guarantee respect for contractual obligations.

“I would like to take this opportunity to address one of the most sensitive issues of recent days related to the Vlora airport. I would like to emphasize that the airport is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Albania. The state exercises full supervisory and regulatory powers. Its non-operation or blockage is not simply a matter of private business, it is a matter of public and state interest. Every day of delay or blockage translates into economic losses for tourism operators, the local community and the state budget. Every concessionary infrastructure of a public and strategic nature is kept under the care of the state, which acts as the ultimate guarantor of their operability. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has followed every phase of the construction process. The rights and obligations of all parties have been fully respected. The Ministry notes with concern that the behavior of the parties, the physical blockage of the construction site, the judicial conflicts between shareholders, the criminal charges have caused critical delays and reputational damage to the project. This behavior will not be tolerated and the state will use all legal means to "guaranteed compliance with contractual obligations. The conflict is a purely civil dispute, which has gone from a shareholder debate to a legal battle. The Ministry is not a party to this conflict and does not favor either of the two entities. The current conflict between the two commercial entities will not be allowed to bring consequences to the state, the economy and the citizens. Regardless of the nature of the dispute, no one has the right to hold hostage an infrastructure of national importance. The Ministry has followed the legal steps and is prepared to use further contractual instruments to continue the construction of the airport ," Karakaçi said. /CNA