Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza

For those of us who can remember the old Turnhouse Airport in Edinburgh or how some of the Airports were in Spain as they began to develop, then Tirana’s Airport is similar. It’s small, basic but fine for arrival and departure. At passport control there was a big smile and a lovely welcome, that really set the tone for what we encountered afterwards. The staff are recognising the need for tourist trade and were keen to talk with us, improve their English and welcome you. There is almost an innocence and a clear want and desire to be recognised as Albanians, They are far behind us but want to catchup in many ways. However, they don’t want to be overrun by commercialism. You will not find. a Burger King, McDonalds, Starbucks or a Costa here. There is clear and visible poverty, an ifrustructure that's developing, and a population wanting to get to know you. I will include more in the review that follows this.