Airlines

The History of Air Albania: From 1991 to the Present





Air Albania is the flag carrier of Albania, a small country on the Balkan peninsula. It was founded in 1991 and began operating in 1993. The airline is based at Tirana International Airport and offers domestic and international flights to destinations around the world.

Air Albania's history began with the fall of communism in the country in 1991. The government opened the state-owned airline, Albanian Airlines, to private investors in order to make it more competitive in the international market. The airline was rebranded as Air Albania in 1993 and began flying to destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Air Albania's fleet is composed of a mix of Airbus, ATR, and Bombardier aircraft. It currently has seventeen aircraft in its fleet, including two Airbus A319-100s, two Airbus A320-200s, five ATR 72-500s, and eight Bombardier CRJ900s. It also has two leased Boeing 767-300ERs.

The airline has experienced a number of important milestones since its founding. In 2000, the airline launched its first international flight to Italy. In 2005, it became the first Albanian airline to offer flights to the United States. In 2010, it launched its first long-haul flight to New York City. In 2012, it became the first Albanian airline to serve London. In 2017, it was the first airline to offer flights to the United Arab Emirates.





Air Albania has also experienced a number of incidents over the years. In 2008, one of its ATR 72-500s crashed in the mountains of Albania, killing all 49 people on board. In 2011, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation for alleged safety violations, but the investigation did not result in any charges. In 2013, one of its Boeing 767-300ERs was involved in an emergency landing in Tirana due to a malfunctioning engine.

Air Albania has come a long way since its founding in 1991. The airline has grown in size and scope and now offers flights to destinations around the world. It has experienced a number of important milestones, as well as a few incidents, but it has become a reliable and respected airline in the international market.