Tirana International Airport now falls under new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) rules. These rules require high-traffic airports to connect with rail or other high-capacity, zero-emission public transport.
TEN-T connects major European cities and countries through roads, railways, ports, and airports. In this way, the network aims to improve safety, capacity, and connectivity while making travel and freight transport across Europe faster and easier.
Meanwhile, Albania forms part of the network’s expansion into the Western Balkans. Strategic routes include Corridor VIII, the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor, and connections with Kosovo and Montenegro. As a result, Albania must gradually bring these routes in line with European standards.
The new EU regulation sets different requirements based on airport traffic.
First, airports that handle more than 12 million passengers a year must connect to the TEN-T rail network by December 31, 2040. Where possible, they must also provide high-speed rail connections for long-distance services.
For airports that handle between 4 million and 12 million passengers, the deadline falls on December 31, 2050. These airports can connect to the TEN-T rail network or to the relevant urban transport hub.
In addition, the regulation allows several transport options. These include railways, metro systems, light rail, trams, cable cars, and, in exceptional cases, other zero-emission public transport solutions.
Rinas currently falls within the second category.
Tirana International Airport handled around 7.26 million passengers in 2023. However, passenger numbers rose to 10.7 million in 2024 and 11.6 million in 2025.
Therefore, the airport recorded an average of around 9.9 million passengers a year during the 2023–2025 period.
The regulation requires authorities to use the latest available three-year average when they classify airports. They must base the calculation on Eurostat and INSTAT statistics.
At the same time, Rinas continues to experience rapid growth. TIA expects around 13.3 million passengers in 2026. This figure could push the airport above the 12-million threshold.
However, Albania has already started preparing the required rail connection.
The Tirana–Durrës railway project includes a new branch to Tirana International Airport. The project will rehabilitate around 34.7 kilometers of railway between Tirana’s public transport terminal and Durrës.
It will also build a new 7.4-kilometer branch to the airport. In addition, the project includes new stations and railway electrification.
As a result, Albania could complete the airport connection well before the regulation’s long-term deadline.
More importantly, the new TEN-T rules strengthen the role of rail connectivity in European transport planning. They turn airport rail access from a national policy choice into a formal requirement for airports with high passenger traffic.
/a.c/
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