MABCO prepares legal action against Albania over Vlora Airport concession

Vlora International Airport MABCO Behgjet Pacolli concession contract international arbitration

MABCO, a company linked to businessman Behgjet Pacolli, is preparing legal action against the Albanian government regarding the Vlora International Airport (VIA) concession. The company has issued a 'Notice of Dispute' to Albanian authorities, activating investment protection mechanisms under the bilateral treaty between Switzerland and Albania.

MABCO claims it has been deprived of effective access to the decision-making process and physical facilities of the airport since April 2026, despite holding a 98% stake in the concessionaire. The company intends to seek an injunction in the London Court of Arbitration to block the termination of the concession contract, rather than primarily seeking monetary damages.

The parties are currently in a six-month 'cooling-off' period intended for negotiations. Failure to reach a resolution could lead to international arbitration through the World Bank's ICSID in Washington.

Entities

Albania · Albanian Government · BKT · Bank of Albania · Behgjet Pacolli · London Court of Arbitration · Mabco · Tirana Bank · Vlora International · Vlora International Airport

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] MABCO has issued a 'Notice of Dispute' to Albanian authorities, activating mechanisms under the Switzerland-Albania bilateral investment treaty. gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al
[● 3 SOURCES] MABCO has been deprived of effective access to the decision-making process of Vlora International Airport (VIA) since last year. gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The lawsuit seeks to block the termination of the concession contract rather than requesting compensation or damages. elbasanion.al · shekulli.com.al
[● 3 SOURCES] The parties are currently in a six-month 'cooling-off' period intended for negotiations before potential international arbitration. gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al
[● 4 SOURCES] MABCO is preparing a lawsuit against the Albanian government in the London Court of Arbitration. elbasanion.al · gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al · shekulli.com.al
[● 3 SOURCES] The parties are currently in a six-month 'cooling-off' period. gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al
[● 3 SOURCES] MABCO has sent a 'Notice of Dispute' to the Albanian authorities. gazetaimpakt.com · faxweb.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The concessionaire company is seeking to block the termination of the concession contract. elbasanion.al · shekulli.com.al