Prishtina, 27 December 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Issues and Human Rights, Emilija Rexhepi, visited Prishtina International Airport “Adem Jashari” today, which has recorded four million passengers, including both local and foreign travelers, from inside and outside the country, traveling to and from Prishtina through this airport.
Marking this significant occasion, Prime Minister Kurti highlighted that since the liberalization of visas, the number of passengers has more than doubled, with a 46% increase in flights, as well as 16 new destinations and 16 new operators.
To further improve the airport’s infrastructure, the Prime Minister announced that additional facilities have been created to enhance air transport, such as extending the runway from 2,500 meters to 3,040 meters, upgrading the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which has significantly increased the airport’s capacity to accommodate larger aircraft and more flights, and opening the air corridor through Albania, reducing the flight route from the Republic of Kosovo to the European Union by up to 15 minutes. Furthermore, based on the bilateral agreement with Switzerland, for the first time, an air operator has been designed to transport passengers between Kosovo and Switzerland under specific criteria set by the state of Kosovo.
He stated that geographically, Kosovo is situated right in the heart of the Western Balkans, which makes it a regional center and a strategic point for travel. The development of Kosovo also depends on positioning the country as a bridge connecting the states of the region, as well as the region with Central and Western Europe.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Ms. Emilija Rexhepi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Mr. Liburn Aliu, Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure,
Honorable Deputy Ministers,
Honorable Mr. Samir Bllacaku, Director of the Air Navigation Services Agency,
Honorable Mr. Gazmend Hoxha, Director of the Kosovo’s Police,
Dear Mr. Hakan Ozturk, Member of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Limak Kosovo International Airport,
Honorable members of the Assembly of the Republic, Driton Hyseni, Fitore Pacolli, and Sali Zyba,
Distinguished attendees,
Ladies and gentleman
In just four days, it will be one year since we were here to witness the first visa-free flight. The liberalization of visas now grants citizens of the Republic of Kosovo the right to short-term travel in the Schengen zone. Through the “Adem Jashari” airport, flights for our compatriots, both departing and returning, are now more convenient and faster.
However, 362 days later, we are marking another achievement – this time a direct one for “Adem Jashari” Airport. The number of passengers, both Albanian and foreign, from inside and outside the country, traveling to and from Prishtina through this airport, has surpassed 4 million. Congratulations to everyone!
On the other hand, in 2021, the number of passengers was 1,969,981, which means it was below two million passengers; this year, however, we have exceeded four million passengers. Thus, we have more than doubled the number of passengers, a 46% increase in flights, and 16 new destinations with 16 new operators.
But this success is far from being the only one during this governing mandate. During this four-year period, we have been committed to development projects to improve the airport infrastructure, creating additional facilities for air transport development, such as:
– The completion of the project to extend the runway from 2,500 meters to 3,040 meters and the advancement of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), which has significantly increased the airport’s capacity to receive larger aircraft and, naturally, more flights. The ILS system has ensured that challenges such as weather conditions, fog, and other obstacles are considerably mitigated.
– The opening of an air corridor through Albania, reducing the flight route from the Republic of Kosovo to the European Union by up to 15 minutes. This translates to less fuel consumption, lower gas emissions, cheaper tickets, and less time spent traveling.
For the first time, we have achieved the design of an air operator for passenger transport between Kosovo and Switzerland under specific criteria set by the state of Kosovo, based on a bilateral agreement with Switzerland. According to an AAC analysis comparing the highest ticket prices during the most traveled months of July–August–September between 2023 and 2024, the results show that in 2024 the prices of sold tickets were up to 30% cheaper than the previous year, 2023, while the number of passengers in 2024 increased by 233,000.
Departure gates have been expanded, self-service check-in desks, and baggage drop-off kiosks have been installed, directly reducing passenger congestion and wait times before flights.
Distinguished attendees,
Geographically, Kosovo is located right at the heart of the Western Balkans, making it both a regional center and a strategic travel hub: a point of departure and arrival.
Kosovo’s development also passes through the establishment of the country as a bridge connecting the states of the region, as well as the region with Central and Western Europe.
More passengers, more flights, and more direct connections between Kosovo and Europe and the world, for cultural exchange, business development, and strengthening the connections between citizens and peoples, families, and friends.
Congratulations and thank you!
Last modified: January 3, 2025