Albania’s first national airline company launched its first test flight from Tirana’s international Rinas Airport. The maiden flight was carried out on the Tirana-Istanbul route with an Airbus 319 bearing Albanian national flag’s double-headed eagle and red and black colours.
The first passengers on board of the airplane named after the great Albanian poet Lasgush Poradeci were a group of university and high school excellence students, who were wished a good and safe flight by the Prime Minister Edi Rama. The government head also congratulated the first Albanian national carrier “Air Albania” on its maiden flight.
“I am very pleased that students and high school excellence graduates are the first passengers of Air Albania’s test flight. It’s a symbolic maiden flight and several other flights will follow during this month. But the reason we thought about you to become the first Air Albania’s passengers is because you represent the next generation’s bright face and deserve entire attention and respect. On the other hand, this is a symbolic gift for whatever you have done and keep doing, which of course you do for your own self and your parents, but the power of your example is also an incredible contribution to our society. I am convinced you are the best auguring people we could find in this country for our national flag’s airline company,” Prime Minister Rama said in remarks ahead of the maiden flight.
“I would like to wish you all the best of luck and success and I am pleased we are the good omen and we are the new generation, the future of Albania. After 30, 60, 90 years from now, I wish may Air Albania exists forever and may it grows constantly just like a child who takes first steps and then becomes a legendary and a wise old man. I would like you all that may this ‘Lasgush’ airplane the auguring of eternity, just like the Lasgush’s poem itself holds it,” on of excellence students said.
Air Albania’s initial flights will be carried out on the Tirana-Istanbul route, while flights to other destinations to main European cities will follow in October. A direct Tirana-New York flight will be established for first time ever with the national carrier Air Albania.
