Vlora International Airport (IATA: VLO, ICAO: LAVL) was meant to open for commercial flights in summer 2026, but as of October 2026 it has no scheduled passenger service, no opening date, and a concession that the government is trying to cancel while the operator fights it in international arbitration. Located near the village of Akerni, roughly 10 km north of Vlora, the airport would put you about 75 km from Himara, versus 230 km from Tirana International Airport, once it starts flying. For now, Tirana remains the only realistic air gateway to the southern Albanian coast. Here's the current status and what to plan around.
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Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| IATA / ICAO | VLO / LAVL |
| Location | Akerni, ~10 km north of Vlora |
| Runway | 3,200 m x 60 m (can handle A330 / B777) |
| Terminal | 22,000 sq m |
| Phase 1 capacity | Up to 2 million passengers/year (planned) |
| Scheduled commercial service | None, as of October 2026 |
| Concession | Termination started by the government in August 2026, contested in ICC arbitration |
| Opening date | None announced |
| Chair Airlines Zurich-Vlora route | Cancelled for 2026, redirected to Ohrid |
| Distance to Himara | ~75 km / 1-1.5 hours by car (once operational) |
| Distance to Saranda | ~155 km / 2.5-3 hours by car (once operational) |
Airlines and Routes: Current Status (October 2026)
Vlora Airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service as of October 2026, and no publicly announced opening date. The launch has slipped repeatedly, the airlines that had planned 2026 routes pulled out, and the summer 2026 season ended without a single scheduled flight.
Chair Airlines, the Swiss carrier that had planned to launch Zurich (ZRH)-Vlora (VLO) twice-weekly service on June 26, 2026, cancelled the Vlora leg for the northern summer 2026 season and redirected the route to Ohrid, North Macedonia instead, flying Zurich-Ohrid-Patras on a weekly basis with expanded frequency through summer. Ving, the Nordic tour operator, also cancelled its planned Sunclass Airlines charter programme (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, roughly five weekly charters) because Vlora Airport's international operating permits were still pending; those bookings were either refunded or rerouted through Tirana with a bus transfer south.
The root cause is a shareholder dispute between Mabco Constructions (linked to businessman Behgjet Pacolli, majority stakeholder) and 2A Group (minority stakeholder contesting its equity share), which stalled construction and certification, court decisions suspended Mabco's administrative-control rights from September 2025, and both sides blame each other for the delays.
The Concession Termination and Arbitration
In early August 2026, Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy started the procedure to terminate the concession contract. Under the contract the airport was due to start operating on 20 February 2026, with a grace period that ran out on 20 May 2026. The ministry cited that missed deadline, a completion date that kept moving (August 2026, then 1 March 2027, then no fixed date), and an independent engineer's finding that only about 70% of the construction had been carried out.
Mabco rejected the termination and went to arbitration. On 16 September 2026, the day before the termination would have taken effect, an emergency arbitrator in an ICC-administered case ordered the ministry not to take over the airport or its assets and not to replace the concessionaire with another operator until a full arbitral tribunal hears the case. Albanian press expects that case could take years unless the two sides settle.
As of mid-October 2026, no reopening date, replacement operator or airline route has been announced. Treat any opening date you see quoted for 2027 as unconfirmed until an airline actually puts Vlora flights on sale.
What About Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet?
These carriers have publicly expressed interest in Vlora Airport at various points, but none have announced confirmed routes, and none will be relevant until the airport actually opens. Ryanair and Wizz Air continue expanding at Tirana (TIA) instead. Budget carrier access to southern Albania in 2026 means flying into Tirana and transferring south, see Tirana Airport to Saranda and Tirana Airport car rental guide.
If you are booking flights for a Riviera trip in 2026 or 2027, the realistic options are:
- Any European city to Tirana, then transfer south by rental car, bus, or private transfer
- Corfu, then ferry to Saranda, then drive north to the Riviera
- Watch Vlora Airport's status if your travel dates are flexible and check again close to departure, but do not book around it
Should You Wait for Vlora Airport to Open?
No. With two consecutive summers of cancelled launches, an unresolved shareholder dispute and a concession now in international arbitration, there's no reliable timeline to plan against, for the rest of 2026 or for summer 2027. Book through Tirana and treat Vlora as a bonus if it opens before your trip, not as your routing assumption.
How to Reach the Riviera Instead
Until Vlora opens, you land at Tirana and cover the rest by road. Tirana airport to Vlora is about 150 km, roughly two hours by car, and the coast road south to Dhermi and Himara starts there.
- To Vlora, Saranda or Ksamil: Welcome Pickups runs fixed-price transfers from Tirana airport to Vlora, Saranda and Ksamil, with the driver waiting in arrivals and tracking your flight.
- To Himara or Dhermi: book the private transfer from Tirana airport linked in the list above, or take the airport shuttle into Tirana and one of the daily Tirana-Himara buses described in our Tirana Airport to Himara guide.
- Driving yourself: pick up a rental car at Tirana airport (see car rental below) and take the motorway south to Vlora.
If your flight to Tirana is delayed or cancelled, EU rules (EU261) cover it when it departs from an EU airport, whatever the airline, and the flight back from Tirana only if the airline is EU-based; Compensair can file the claim for you.
Terminal Facilities
Vlora Airport's terminal is a new-build, modern facility at 22,000 square meters, larger than initially planned to accommodate growth. Expected facilities include:
- Duty-free shopping
- Cafes and food outlets
- Free Wi-Fi
- ATMs and currency exchange
- Pharmacy and first-aid station
- PRM (reduced mobility) services
- Family facilities
- Car rental desks
The airport was designed with sustainability features including solar panels generating 5.2 MWh of renewable energy. Parking is adjacent to the terminal with short-term rates expected around 200 ALL/hour (approximately 2 EUR) and long-term rates of 600-800 ALL/day (6-8 EUR). EV charging bays are planned near the terminal entrance.
These facilities describe the terminal as designed. The ministry's independent engineer put construction at about 70% in 2026, and with no scheduled flights as of October 2026, none of it is currently serving passengers. Treat this as what to expect once service starts, not what's operating today.
Getting from Vlora Airport to the Albanian Riviera (Once It Opens)
The section below describes the route and pricing you'd use once Vlora Airport has scheduled flights, useful for planning ahead, not for a booking today. The drive south follows the SH8 coastal highway, one of the most scenic roads in Europe, passing through the Llogara Pass or, since July 2024, the Llogara Tunnel.
Llogara Tunnel vs. Llogara Pass
The Llogara Tunnel (5.9 km) opened on 5 July 2024 and reduces the Dukat-to-Palasa section from roughly 30 minutes of hairpin curves to about 7. The tunnel is currently toll-free; a toll is expected eventually, but no price or start date has been announced (toll status). The old Llogara Pass road remains open and is worth driving at least once for the views, but for a transfer with luggage after a flight, the tunnel is the practical choice.
Transfer Options from Vlora Airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time (Tunnel) | Drive Time (Pass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vlora city center | 10 km | 15-25 min | 15-25 min |
| Dhermi | ~55 km | 50-70 min | 1h 10min-1h 30min |
| Himara | ~75 km | 1h-1h 15min | 1h 30min-1h 45min |
| Qeparo | ~85 km | 1h 10min-1h 25min | 1h 40min-2h |
| Borsh | ~105 km | 1h 30min-1h 50min | 2h-2h 20min |
| Saranda | ~155 km | 2h 15min-2h 45min | 2h 45min-3h 15min |
| Ksamil | ~165 km | 2h 30min-3h | 3h-3h 30min |
Drive times assume normal summer traffic. Add 20-30 minutes for peak August weekends when the coastal road gets busy around Dhermi and Himara.
Transfer Pricing
| Method | Vlora City | Dhermi | Himara | Saranda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi/transfer | 2,000-3,000 ALL (20-30 EUR) | 5,000-6,000 ALL (50-60 EUR) | 6,000-8,000 ALL (60-80 EUR) | 12,000-15,000 ALL (120-150 EUR) |
| Bus (Vlora to destination) | N/A | Not direct | 800-1,000 ALL (8-10 EUR) | 1,000-1,200 ALL (10-12 EUR) |
| Car rental (per day) | 3,000-5,000 ALL (30-50 EUR) | Same. Drive yourself | Same | Same |
Important: Taxi prices above are estimates based on current Vlora-area transfer rates. As the airport is new, official airport taxi pricing may differ. Pre-booking a transfer through your hotel or a platform like Welcome Pickups or RivieraBus is recommended for your first arrival.
Bus Connections
There is no direct bus from Vlora Airport to the Riviera towns yet. Your bus options require getting to Vlora city center first, then catching a southbound service:
- Vlora to Himara: Several daily departures, 1h 15min-2h 30min, 800-1,000 ALL (8-10 EUR). Operators include Bregasi and Transbus Saranda.
- Vlora to Saranda: Multiple daily buses, 3-4 hours, approximately 1,000-1,500 ALL (10-15 EUR).
A shuttle or taxi from the airport to Vlora bus station adds roughly 15-25 minutes and 2,000-3,000 ALL (20-30 EUR). For budget travelers, this two-step connection still works out significantly cheaper and faster than the Tirana alternative.
For full bus schedule details, see our practical info page.
Car Rental at the Airport
Car rental desks from major agencies are planned for Vlora Airport once it opens, but with no operating date confirmed, don't build an itinerary around picking up a car there. For now, Tirana Airport has the full selection, which DiscoverCars compares, and Localrent lists local Tirana agencies too. A rental car is the most flexible option for exploring the Riviera either way, since public transport along the coast is limited and the beaches worth visiting are spread across 100+ km.
For detailed advice on renting a vehicle, insurance requirements, and road tips, see our car and scooter rental guide.
Vlora Airport vs. Tirana Airport: Which to Choose?
For a trip in 2026 or 2027 this isn't really a choice. Tirana is the only airport actually flying passengers to Albania. The table below shows what the comparison would look like once Vlora is operational, for planning purposes.
| Factor | Vlora Airport (VLO) | Tirana Airport (TIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines (October 2026) | None, no scheduled service | Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air Albania, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and 20+ others |
| Route options | 0 confirmed routes | 50+ destinations across Europe |
| Ticket prices | N/A | Budget carriers = competitive fares |
| Distance to Himara | ~75 km (1-1.5h, once open) | ~230 km (4-5h) |
| Distance to Dhermi | ~55 km (50-70 min, once open) | ~210 km (3.5-4.5h) |
| Distance to Saranda | ~155 km (2.5-3h, once open) | ~280 km (4.5-5.5h) |
| Transfer cost to Himara | 60-80 EUR (taxi, projected) | 130-160 EUR (taxi) or 15 EUR (bus) |
| Operating in 2026 | No | Yes |
| Car rental availability | None yet | Full selection from all major agencies |
Why Vlora Airport Isn't an Option Yet
The airport's location, 75 km from Himara versus 230 km from Tirana, would make it the obvious choice once it's flying. But with no scheduled service, no certified opening date, an unresolved shareholder dispute between the airport's own construction partners and a concession stuck in arbitration, there's nothing to book. Don't structure a 2026 or 2027 itinerary around a Vlora arrival or departure.
For 2026 and 2027: Fly Tirana
Every real Riviera trip routes through Tirana. Budget carriers, full car rental selection, and year-round service make it the dependable option regardless of season. If you want to combine the Riviera with Berat, Gjirokaster, or the rest of Albania, Tirana is also the better hub geographically.
Practical Tips While Vlora Airport's Status Is Unresolved
Don't book flights assuming Vlora will open. Two consecutive summers of cancelled launches means the safest assumption is that it won't be operating for your trip. Book Tirana, and treat a Vlora opening as a pleasant surprise if it happens before you fly.
Check again close to your travel date. If your dates are flexible and the airport does announce a firm relaunch, it would meaningfully cut transfer time to the Riviera. Re-check status a few weeks before departure rather than months out.
Cash and cards for whichever airport you use. For current exchange rates: 1 EUR is roughly 100 ALL. Most car rental agencies and pre-booked transfers accept cards. See our money and ATM guide for more.
Mobile data. Pick up a local SIM or activate an eSIM (Saily is our top pick) before you land. Coverage on the SH8 coast road is generally good but can drop in some mountain sections. See our SIM card guide.
Offline maps. Download the Tirana-Himara or Vlora-Saranda stretch on Google Maps or Maps.me before you leave the airport. The Llogara Pass and some coastal sections have unreliable data coverage.
What This Means for Riviera Travel
Vlora Airport remains a good idea stuck in a bad dispute. The runway and terminal exist, but a shareholder fight between Mabco Constructions and 2A Group has now cost two consecutive tourist seasons of promised service, neither Chair Airlines nor Ving's Nordic charter partners were willing to keep routes on the books through another delay, and the government's attempt to cancel the concession has moved the fight into international arbitration.
For 2026 and 2027, treat Vlora Airport as a story to watch, not a gateway to plan around. Tirana remains the workhorse airport with vastly more flight options and lower fares. If a settlement or the arbitration clears the way and a carrier puts flights on sale, the transfer-time math above will make Vlora worth revisiting, but that hasn't happened yet.
For the detailed transfer breakdown from Vlora Airport to Himara specifically, see our Vlora Airport to Himara transfer guide. For the return trip, see the Himara to Vlora Airport departure guide. And for a full comparison of airport options including Corfu, see closest airport to Himara.
FAQ
Is Vlora Airport open in 2026?
No, not for scheduled commercial flights, as of October 2026. Chair Airlines' planned Zurich-Vlora launch (originally set for June 26, 2026) was cancelled and redirected to Ohrid; Ving's Nordic charter programme was also cancelled. The delay stems from a shareholder dispute between Mabco Constructions and 2A Group. In August 2026 the government started terminating the concession, and the case is now in international arbitration.
When will Vlora Airport open?
Nobody can say. No opening date has been announced as of October 2026. The concessionaire's own proposed completion dates slid from August 2026 to 1 March 2027 and then to no fixed date, and a September 2026 arbitration order bars the government from handing the airport to another operator until the tribunal rules. Don't plan a 2027 trip around it.
What is the IATA code for Vlora Airport?
The IATA code is VLO and the ICAO code is LAVL. Both codes exist in booking systems, but as of October 2026 no airline has scheduled flights to either code, searching them won't return live fares.
How do I get from Vlora Airport to Himara?
There's currently no way to fly into Vlora Airport, so this route isn't usable yet. Once the airport opens, the drive to Himara would run about 75 km, 1-1.5 hours via the Llogara Tunnel or Pass. For a 2026 trip, fly into Tirana instead, see our Tirana Airport to Himara guide.
Do Ryanair or Wizz Air fly to Vlora Airport?
No. Neither airline flies to Vlora Airport, which currently has no scheduled commercial service from any carrier. Both airlines have expressed past interest, but their confirmed 2026 Albania routes operate from Tirana International Airport (TIA) only.
Should I fly into Vlora or Tirana for the Albanian Riviera?
Fly into Tirana. Vlora Airport has no scheduled service as of October 2026. Chair Airlines cancelled its planned Zurich route for the season, and no other carrier has stepped in. Tirana offers far more flight options, lower fares from budget carriers, and is the only realistic gateway for a 2026 Riviera trip.
