Vlora airport threatens Albania's wild paradise, but government targets tourism profits

The project for the construction of the Vlora airport has encountered quite a few reactions from organizations for the protection of the environment and the opposition, which are against the construction. The airport affects the bird ecosystem which will soon be few in number.

France 24 has dedicated an article to the Vlora airport, where it writes that according to environmentalists, the construction of the Vlora airport in a protected area would be a serious threat to birds.

"This project goes against the laws of nature ," said Zydjon Vorspi from the group Protection and Conservation of the Natural Environment in Albania. "Building such a large infrastructure in an area known around the world for its incredible biodiversity means blocking bird routes and creating huge problems for local as well as international populations."

The lagoon is fed by the Vjosa, known as Europe's last great "wild river", which was granted national park status with much fanfare by the Albanian government in March.

Millions of birds pass each year through the Narta lagoon and the Karavasta estuary near the north, providing critical staging grounds for migratory species traveling between northern Europe and the African continent.

The airport is likely to have a direct impact on habitat, ecologists say, with planes disrupting flight paths and nests that could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem.

"We can already see that some species are concerned ," Niko Dumani, a biodiversity specialist, told AFP.

But the Albanian government denies that the airport is encroaching on protected areas and said the project will be a much-needed boost to tourism.

"The airport will be built anyway", declared Prime Minister Rama. "It will be an added value and in no way a threat to the ecosystem."

Vetëm pesë kilometra në veri ndërsa korbi fluturon, ekipet e ndërtimit po hedhin bazat për aeroportin prej 104 milionë eurosh (112 milionë dollarë) që synon të presë dy milionë pasagjerë në vit deri në vitin 2025. Vendasit janë kryesisht mbështetës për aeroportin, i cili ata shpresojnë se do të sjellë vende pune dhe zhvillim në një rajon të varfër.

Autoritetet thonë se aeroporti do të inkurajojë turizmin dhe do të krijojë 1,500 vende pune direkt në një vend ku një në pesë nën 30 vjeç është pa punë dhe paga mesatare mujore është 560 euro.

Por ambientalistët kanë frikë se turizmi masiv do të shkaktojë një valë ndërtimi.

Activists point to disfigured areas of coastline in Vlora and Durrës, which are filled with resorts and apartment blocks with little supervision. Rapid urbanization in the area, along with overfishing and climate change, has already played a role in the dramatic decline of migratory bird populations.