Kukës International Airport
Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut International Airport Aeroporti Ndërkombëtar Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
Owner | Municipality Kukës | ||||||||||
Operator | Municipality of Kukës, Bami SHPK, Mechanical SHPK | ||||||||||
Serves | Kukës, Albania | ||||||||||
Location | Kukës, Albania | ||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 1,120 ft / 341 m | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 42°1′58.2″N 20°24′53.8″E / 42.032833°N 20.414944°ECoordinates: 42°1′58.2″N 20°24′53.8″E / 42.032833°N 20.414944°E | ||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut International Airport (Albanian: Aeroporti Ndërkombëtar Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut, ICAO: LAKU),[1] also referred to as Kukës Airport (Albanian: Aeroporti i Kukësit), is an airport about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) south of Kukës, Albania. The government of Albania granted permission for it to host international passenger traffic in 2016.[3]
The airport is currently undergoing a reconstruction, including a new terminal, control tower, expansion of the apron and runway extension. It is designed to serve as a low-cost airport and expected to be fully operational by 2021.
History
Involvement by the United Arab Emirates in the Kukës area dates back to the Kosovo War (1999).[4] The UAE contributed large amounts of money, humanitarian aid, built a highly efficient refugee camp for Kosovan Albanians and an airstrip for incoming relief supplies at Kukës in Northern Albania.[4] The UAE funded construction of an airport which was completed in 2006 and expected to employ more than 200 people, helping the local economy by opening more touristic opportunities for the region.[5]
In 2021 the name was changed to Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut International Airport by Prime Minister Edi Rama, in honour of UAE investment.[6][7]
Ownership
Kukës Airport will undergo a full reconstruction before being put into operation. All new aerodrome additions and parameters will be constructed to meet the “low cost” standards. A bid was made by the merger of companies "Bami SHPK”, which pledge an investment worth 6.8m euros.
The concession is expected to last for 35 years and will include the extension of the runway, the construction of the fuel supply point of the aircraft, the modernisation of the lighting system and also the expansion of airport terminals. Along with the investment made so far by the United Arab Emirates, the value invested in this work will amount to 24 million euros.[8]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ a b "Pilot information for Kukës Airport @ OurAirports". OurAirports.com. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ^ Airport record for Kukës Airport at Landings.com. Retrieved 1 August 2013
- ^ Mejdini, Fatjona (1 April 2016). "Albanians Get to Fly from Second Airport". Balkan Insight.
- ^ a b Dannreuther, Roland (2001). "Perceptions in the Middle East". In Buckley, Mary; Cummings, Sally (eds.). Kosovo: Perceptions of War and Its Aftermath. A&C Black. pp. 208–209. ISBN 9780826456694.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- ^ "Albanians Get to Fly from Second Airport :: Balkan Insight". Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ [https://top-channel.tv/2021/04/09/aeroporti-i-kukesit-drejt-funksionit-fluturimi-i-pare-me-18-prill9/ Top Channel
- ^ ATA name change
- ^ "Kukës Airport will operate as "low cost" :: Tv Klan". Retrieved 14 July 2018.
External links
- Airport record for Kukës Airport at Landings.com