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7 clusters · 32 sources · 56 days · First seen · Last updated

Albania Vlora Airport concession termination

Overview

In late July 2026, Albania's High Court dismissed Behgjet Pacolli’s appeal, confirming Vegim Hoxha’s role as administrator of the Vlora International Airport concession and leaving the airport under the control of Valon Adem’s 2A Group. The ruling upheld Mabco Constructions’ 98% ownership and restored its voting rights, maintaining the existing governance structure. By early August, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy moved to end the concession after a shareholder clash between Mabco Constructions (owned by Pacolli) and 2A Group halted construction and the contractual deadline expired in May 2026. The ministry formally launched termination procedures, invoking the contract’s clause that allows cancellation after missed deadlines. The project, valued at €103.9 million, was intended to be the country's second international gateway. Following the Supreme Court decision, Pacolli reported that access to the airport project site was blocked, preventing the completion of remaining works and the certification phase. He has called for an independent investigation into the blockade, suggesting it may be a planned attempt to undermine shareholder rights. As of mid-September, the dispute has escalated into formal legal proceedings. MABCO has issued a ‘Notice of Dispute’ under the Switzerland-Albania bilateral investment protection agreement, triggering a six-month negotiation period. The company has since filed a claim in the London Court of Arbitration, seeking interim measures to prevent the government from terminating the concession. MABCO alleges the Albanian government is attempting to revoke the contract to award the concession to Israeli businessman Ron Yeffet, whom the company claims has close ties to the government. Represented by the law firm Patton Boggs, MABCO is pursuing legal action to compel the government to separate the contract termination process, while reserving the right to pursue full compensation through the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Entities

Behgjet Pacolli · Mabco · Vlora International Airport · Valon Ademi · Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy

Claims

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

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Vlora Airport dispute: ICC arbitrator blocks Albanian government takeover

    An ICC emergency arbitrator has ordered the Albanian government to halt actions to terminate the Vlora International Airport concession, preventing the state from seizing control or replacing the operator.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Mabco files arbitration claim against Albania over Vlora Airport

    Mabco, owned by Behgjet Pacolli, has initiated arbitration in London against the Albanian government over the Vlora Airport concession, alleging the contract is being revoked to favor businessman Ron Yeffet.

  3. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Vlora Airport project faces potential international arbitration

    Albania faces potential international arbitration from MABCO Constructions over the unfinished Vlora International Airport following a dispute regarding contract termination and construction delays.

  4. [BUSINESS] 22 sources
    MABCO prepares legal action against Albania over Vlora Airport concession

    MABCO is preparing to sue the Albanian government in London to block the termination of the Vlora International Airport concession, following a formal 'Notice of Dispute' and claims of lost decision-making's.

  5. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Vlora International Airport access blocked amid shareholder dispute

    Behgjet Pacolli has called for an investigation after access to the Vlora International Airport was blocked, following a Supreme Court ruling. He warns of potential international arbitration.

  6. [BUSINESS] 9 sources
    Albania Terminates Vlora Airport Concession Amid Investor Dispute

    Albania moves to cancel the Vlora Airport concession after a shareholder dispute halted construction, prompting investor Behgjet Pacolli to threaten international arbitration and potential taxpayer costs of €‑+

  7. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Vlora International Airport administration stays under Valon Adem after Supreme Court rejects Pacolli appeal

    Albania's High Court rejected Pacolli's appeal, confirming Vegim Hoxha as Vlora Airport administrator and keeping management under Valon Adem's 2A Group; Mabco says the decision doesn't affect its ownership.

Sources

24-ore.com · almakos.com · arbresh.info · balkanweb.com · bulevardnews.com · citizens.al · dukagjini.com · elbasanion.al · faktiditor.ch · faxweb.al · frontonline.net · gazeta10.com · gazetaimpakt.com · gijotina.com · informim.net · javanews.al · jfponte.pt · kosovaport.com · kosovoenergy.com · lajmpress.org · lideri.mk · mesazhi.com · monitor.al · ntv.al · ocnal.com · qendra.info · rdnews.al · shekulli.com.al · telegrafi.com · teve1.info · vizionplus.tv · voal.ch

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history