Air Albania on the Brink of Bankruptcy | Only Flying to Istanbul
Albania’s national airline, Air Albania, is on the verge of bankruptcy. According to a report by JOQ Albania, the company has not been paying salaries for months, is failing to deposit social security contributions, and continues to sell tickets despite its financial crisis. During this period, numerous flights have been canceled, and passengers have reportedly received no refunds.
Currently, only one aircraft in the fleet is operating on the Tirana–Istanbul route. Another aircraft has been parked in Istanbul since February 2024 due to an engine failure, while a third was repossessed by the leasing company over unpaid debts.
Aircraft leased from Ukraine’s SkyUp and Bulgaria-based Fly2Sky have also left the fleet due to outstanding payments. The airline is reportedly facing legal disputes with partners, including Turkish Airlines, which is said to be owed more than $33 million.
Employees are warning citizens—particularly those planning to return home from abroad during the summer season—“Do not buy tickets.” They state that many flights have been canceled since August 6 and are calling on the government to urgently intervene to prevent further harm to both employees and passengers.
