Civil Aviation Authority of Albania

The Civil Aviation Authority of Albania aims to provide safe, secure and efficient aviation services, an environmentally compatible air transportation system that meets the economic needs of Albania by: Inspecting airlines, airports and heliports for compliance with safety and security standards, and performing other safety functions.

Developing and updating a plan that coordinates Albania's aviation system. Furthermore, the CAAA has as an objective the development of a system of airports that will meet the majority of needs of the aviation community and the general public; and do so in a manner that provides safe, efficient, economically beneficial and environmentally compatible facilities.^[1]

History

The civil air transport in Albania marks its beginnings in November 1924, when the Republic of Albania signed a Governmental Agreement with German Air Company “Lufthansa”. On the basis of this ten-year concession agreement, the Albanian Airline with the name “Adria Aero Lloyd” was established. In the spring of 1925, the first domectic flights to Shkodra and Vlora began in this green runway.

In August of 1927, the office of Civil Aviation of Air Traffic Ministry of Italy bought “Adria Aero Lloyd Society”. It expanded its flights to other cities, such as Elbasani, Korça, Kukësi, Peshkopia and Gjirokastra, and opened up international lines to Rome, Milan, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Belgrade, and Podgorica. The construction of Tirana Airport ( in present Lapraka ) started in 1934 and was completed by the end of 1935. This airport, which was later officially named Airport of Tirana, was constructed in conformity with optimal technological parameters of that time, with reinforced concrete runway of 1200 400 m, complemented with technical equipment and appropriate buildings.

During 1955-1957, the Rinasi Airport was constructed for military purposes. Later, its administration was shifted to the Ministry of Transport. The State-owned Enterprise of International Air Transport ( Albtransport for short ) was established on January 25, 1957, and its headquarters were situated in Tirana.

Aeroflot, Jat, Malev, TAROM and Interflug were the air companies that have operated in Albania until 1960. During 1960-1978, several airlines ceased to operate in Albania due to the impact of the politics, resulting to a decrease of influx of flights and passengers.

In the years 1980-1990, several investments in the airport were made to meet urgent demands. During 1989-1991, because of political changes in the Eastern European countries, the Republic of Albania adhered to the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ), opened its air space to international flights, and had its duties of Air Traffic Control defined. As premises of these developments, conditions were created to separate the activities of air traffic control from Albtransport. In addition, during these years, governmental agreements of civil air transport were established with Bulgaria, Federal Republic of Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Russia, Austria, England, Macedonia, etc.

The activity of air traffic control was separated from Albtransport early in 1992 and the National Agency of Air Traffic ( NATA ) was established as an independent enterprise. The Directory General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA ) was established on February 3, 1991, to cope with the development required by the time.

In 2010, DGCA changed name to the Civil Aviation Authority of Albania (CAAA)

References

1. ^ "Drejtoria e Pergjitheshme e Aviacionit Civil". Ministria e Puneve Publike dhe Transporteve. http://www.dgca.gov.al. Retrieved 3 October 2011.