Come June 2026, the Swiss airline, Chair AG, will commence weekly commercial flights to the newly built Vlora International Airport in Albania. This comes as the Zurich-based airline expanded its fleet by purchasing an additional Airbus A320, bringing its total fleet size to five.
In addition to flying to Vlora, the airline will also fly twice weekly from Zurich to Patras in Greece, carrying tourists and holidaymakers to both beach holiday destinations.
Albanian Tourism Receives a Boost
This will be the first major commercial flight to the Vlora International Airport, which received its certification flight in May 2025. Construction on the new airport has been ongoing since 2021 after a consortium led by the Swiss-based Mabco Constructions sealed a concession agreement with the Albanian government. The aim has been to build a modern, world-class airport that will serve as a gateway to Southern Albania, and by so doing, boost trade, tourism, and create jobs. That mission seems to be getting accomplished.
This development is particularly good for Albania’s tourism sector. Already, the Balkan nation is fast becoming a major cultural destination, with its heritage sites attracting large numbers of tourists from all over Europe. A World Bank report on the development detailed how heritage tourism in the country’s southern region has helped to revive old and historic towns and created many jobs. Chair Airlines’ scheduled weekly flight to this region will only further amplify the progress made so far by attracting more tourists, which, in turn, translates to more opportunities for the local economy.
A Major Win for Vlora and Albania in General
The commencement of flight along this corridor is expected to boost the Albanian economy through revenue generated from tourists. Moreso, hotels, restaurants, and other service providers will all benefit.
Commercial flights to Vlora International Airport will also boost trade. Its location on the Adriatic coast means it is well positioned to offer a direct entry point that is geographically closer to key inland markets than many alternative airports. Its proximity to North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Greece makes it a natural hub for regional distribution.
Albania is Rebranding and Positioning Itself for Future Influence
It should be noted that all of these are happening at a time when the Albanian government is working hard to rebrand and position the country as a major regional player in Eastern Europe. Reforms and growth are happening across different sectors, be it tech, business, agriculture, manufacturing, and even governance and international relations. Indeed, the country is poised for success, as long as internal politics doesn’t interfere with the ongoing development momentum.
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