Tirana International Airport (Rinas) concession: audit, ownership transfer and extension
Status: Concession in force per reporting; audit recommendations reported; Competition Authority review reported without a confirmed date or outcome.
Summary
Tirana International Airport (TIA) has operated Rinas under a concession first set at 20 years (2005, per search summary). In December 2020 Kastrati Group acquired the concession from Real Fortress Private Limited for a reported EUR 71 million (Shqiptarja). Parliament extended the concession in 2021 over the President's veto (Exit.al, SeeNews); a later government change extended it to 2027 (per search summary).
A BDO Albania economic audit reported by Top Channel found the concessionaire had earned about EUR 84 million more than the baseline scenario; another report gives EUR 85 million for 2004-2017. The two figures are not reconciled. Top Channel reports a recommendation to halve airport charges. The Competition Authority reportedly planned to investigate the concession (Tirana Times, date unclear). No SPAK case on Rinas was found.
Key facts
- Concession for 20 years from 2005 (per search summary); extended in 2021 (Exit.al, SeeNews).
- Ownership transfer to Kastrati Group in December 2020 for a reported EUR 71 million (Shqiptarja).
- BDO economic audit reported excess revenue of about EUR 84 million over the base case (Top Channel).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Ownership transfer to Kastrati Group completed (Exit.al).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationAbuse of monopoly position by the concessionaire (Tirana Times headline; not adjudicated).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationHigh profit margins, reported near half of turnover (Top Channel, search summary); reporting, not a finding.
Open questions (4)
- Whether the 84m vs 85m excess-revenue figures refer to the same audit period and method.
- Whether the Competition Authority investigation has started and its date.
- Terms of the 2021 extension and the veto dispute.
- Whether the government-commissioned independent economic review has been published.
Responses (0)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
Nothing recorded in this list.
Figures
Money trail →Price of Tirana airport concession transfer to Kastrati Group
€71,000,000
concessionSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Reported value of the concession transfer from Real Fortress Private Limited; not a public contract value. Source: Shqiptarja.
Date: Dec 2020 · Payer: Kastrati Group · Payee: Real Fortress Private Limited
- Zyrtarizohet kalimi i aeroportit te Rinasit te Kastrati Group per 71 milione euro (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · Dec 2020 · journalism · SQ
Excess revenue over base case, Rinas concession (BDO audit as reported)
€84,000,000
Incomplete figureotherSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Incomplete and unreconciled: Top Channel gives about EUR 84m; another report gives EUR 85m for 2004-2017. Audit period and method not confirmed.
Date: 2020 · Payer: not found · Payee: Concessionaire (TIA) relative to base case
- Exclusive: Rinas airport is required to halve tariffs after auditing report (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · 2020 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Tirana International Airport concession starts (20 years)
Concession for Tirana (Rinas) airport starts for 20 years (per search summary of Tirana Times background; exact signing day not verified).
Other
BDO audit of the Rinas concession reported; recommendation to halve charges
Top Channel reports a BDO economic audit found the concessionaire earned about EUR 84m above the base case, and recommended a 50 per cent reduction in airport charges combined with extra investment. The year is taken from the page metadata; some search summaries say 2019.
Other
Kastrati Group acquires Tirana airport concession for EUR 71m
Kastrati Group bought the Tirana International Airport concession from Real Fortress Private Limited for a reported EUR 71 million.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 6 sources.
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 6 sources
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 2020
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- SeeNews
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- Tirana Times
- Date
- not recorded
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- Dec 2020