Turkish Airlines ‘strategically supporting’ Albania to establish its own national carrier: Company chair

ISTANBUL

Turkish Airlines has been in cooperation with the Albanian government to help the country establish a national carrier through a strategic deal, the company chair has said in a written statement. 

Albanian Airlines is expected to start flights before the end of 2017, read the statement released on July 11, adding that the deal will also help Turkish Airlines lure more passengers from Western Europe. 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Turkish Airlines Chair İlker Aycı came together at the Turkish Airlines headquarters in Istanbul Atatürk Airport, having a one-to-one meeting after giving a press briefing.

“The progress of the civil aviation sector, a huge leverage for growth, is one of the top priorities set by the Albanian government. Currently there are no Albanian airlines. Hence Mr. Edi Rama, through such active leadership, has been working hard on the establishment of Albanian Airlines, which will connect Albania to the region and to the globe. Our expectation that Italian airlines will downsize their businesses gives a greater business case for this strategic partnership,” Aycı stated. 

Rama said the partnership aims to effectively unite the huge growth potential of Albania’s aviation sector and the global know-how of Turkish Airlines. 

“It certainly is treasured that Turkish Airlines, as the airline that flies to more countries than any other, shares this know-how and experience attained during the past era of its growth. The kick off of this partnership will be small scale, but we aim to expand in due course in line with market conditions,” he added.