The first tourist charter, with 200 Russians arrived on Sunday evening, June 20, 2021 at Tirana International Airport, with the greeting and welcome of a symbolic ceremony. The flights are operated by the Russian airline Ural Airlines.

"The airport is coming to life and this is an important fact for all of us. Tourism is one of the most important pillars of Albania's development and TIA is giving its contribution, together with partners and tour operators to increase the number of visitors in the country. Very soon, the charter tourist flight with St. Petersburg will be established", said the Chief Executive Officer of Tirana International Airport, Dr. Constantin von Alvensleben.

"Tonight I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to all those who participated in the re-establishment of tourism links between Russia and Albania: the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania, Rostourism (Russian Tourism Authority), the civil aviation authorities of "of the two countries, tour operators and diplomats of the two Embassies in Tirana and Moscow, who were involved in the implementation of this project. I hope that tourism will give a positive impetus to the development of Russian-Albanian cooperation in other areas," said Mr. Sergei Lysikov, Ministerial Adviser of the Russian Embassy in Tirana.