Albania Terminates Vlora Airport Concession Amid Investor Dispute

Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has launched procedures to terminate the concession contract for the Vlora International Airport, a project valued at €103.9 million that was intended to become the country's second international gateway.

The termination follows the concessionaire's failure to meet contractual construction deadlines. A shareholder clash between MABCO Constructions SA – owned by businessman Behgjet Pacolli – and 2A Group, led by Valon Ademi, halted work and prevented the airport from reaching the certification stage. The contract allowed the state to end the agreement after missed deadlines, which expired in May 2026.

Pacolli has warned that the dispute will move to international arbitration, claiming the investor is exposed to more than €320 million in investments and seeking compensation that could be charged to Albanian taxpayers. The government’s action aims to unblock the stalled project, though the future of the airport remains uncertain.