Air Albania is heading toward a major turning point after Turkish Airlines confirmed on November 19 that it will divest its entire 49 percent share in the company. The move brings to a close a partnership that was instrumental in establishing the airline in 2018, supported politically by both Ankara and Tirana.
With Turkish Airlines exiting, the responsibility now falls on the remaining shareholders—MDN Investment and Albcontrol—to find a new investor capable of supporting the airline’s future growth. At present, Air Albania operates an extremely small fleet, depending on a single wet-leased Fly2Sky Airbus A320 that maintains a limited schedule linking Istanbul, Tirana, and Plovdiv.
Turkish Airlines’ departure comes shortly after the carrier reached an agreement to acquire up to 27 percent of Air Europa. That investment aims to strengthen Turkish Airlines’ global network and expand its access to tourism and cargo markets connecting Turkey with Latin America. The shift suggests a strategic pivot toward larger-scale, more competitive opportunities.
For Air Albania, the transition marks a critical moment. Securing a replacement investor and rebuilding its operational capacity will be essential if the airline hopes to move beyond its current constraints and remain competitive within the evolving Balkan aviation market.