The Gjirokastra airport in the southern tip of Albania attended today the landing of the first tourist planes since receiving the official status two years ago.
The event was watched with interest also because the technical conditions for landing small planes were tested for the first time. The planes came from Italy and the event also marked the first direct flight with a country in the region. According to the honorary consul of Italy in Gjirokastra, Teodor Bilushi, it is a historic moment for he city and the future of air tourism.
“This is a historic moment for Gjirokastra because a new window opens for touristic, economic and cultural exchanges. So the realization of a direct flight from a regional country, the realization of the customs and police service will make it possible to land many other tourist planes since the requests are numerous. So after the certification of the Gjirokastra aerodrome two years ago by the Civil Aviation Authority, it is time to improve the infrastructure and services near this airport”, said Teodor Bilushi.
The Italian pilot who made the first recent landing at this aerodrome said he felt honored to have been given the opportunity.
“The view from the air was really amazing. We are landing here in Gjirokastra and we were told that we were the first after more than 80 or 90 years, so we are very proud of it. The track length was perfect and the conditions right, the view was clear and the descent very nice. We can’t wait to come back”, said pilot Alesandro Romanaci Carduci.
The Gjirokastra airport started its operation almost 100 years ago in 1924, but in the 1930s and 1940s it was transformed into a small airport with dual military and civil functions.
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