Albanian citizens can travel directly to Amsterdam, thanks to the start of operation of the well-known Transavia airline. On this occasion, a welcome ceremony was held today on the runway of Tirana International Airport (TIA).

The direct route from and to Amsterdam marks another important moment for TIA, which continues to expand the map of direct destinations and increase the number of prestigious international airlines operating in Albania.

Marcel de Nooijer, General Manager of Transavia, who arrived in Tirana for this special ceremony, said "We see a great future and a very fruitful cooperation with Tirana Airport. We started with 3 flights a week to Tirana, which show great potential. I have to say, with this warm welcome here in Tirana, we feel so much at home and look forward to further collaborations.

" PierVittorio Farabbi, the Operational Director of Tirana International Airport, thanked the company Transavia for starting this cooperation. "This is an achievement that connects our passengers not only to Amsterdam but also to other destinations, as this airport is one of the most important hubs in Europe. We hope that this new line will open opportunities for many tourists from Holland and Europe to explore Albania and its many beauties, from impressive beaches to stunning mountain trips, from picturesque villages to a capital full of life and color."- said Mr. Farabbi.

This achievement underlines the belief of the airline company Transavia in the potential of Albania as a center of important developments in the field of tourism and business opportunities. An important factor of this trust is also related to the growth and expansion of the capacities of Tirana International Airport (TIA) thanks to the vision and investments of the Kastrati Group.

The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Albania, His Excellency, Mr. Reinout Vos expressed his satisfaction at the start of direct flights to Amsterdam. "This will be an important step for Albania to better connect with other parts of Europe and integrate into this community. But it will also be a great opportunity for the Dutch and many other passengers to fly to Tirana. If I can give a compliment to Tirana airport, I have seen a surprising development in recent years, both in terms of airlines and also in passenger service".

Mr. Maksim Et'hemaj, Director of the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority "Albania today has connections with almost all European cities. We are very pleased to see the implementation of a strategy that has brought Albania to this level today. We ensure that through Transavia we achieve the requirements of the European Union, we ensure that the airport is developed meeting the necessary standards, and passengers receive the right service."

*Transavia (HV), is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group. Passengers also have the convenience of booking tickets within the group's network to other destinations via: Air France (AF) at CDG (Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport) and Transavia France (TO) at 2 (two) additional destinations: ORY (Airport Orly) and LYS (Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport)