Military airfields and airbases in Albania

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Content

Map
Airfield Directory
Unidentified Airfields
Links
Glossary

All data for historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Map

Airfield Directory

Cërrik

(Elbasan)

N4102 E02000, 351' Location of airfield: Probably northeast of Cërrik. The location is taken from TPC maps. It cannot be clearly identified on Google Earth. Usage during the Cold War: Reserve airbase Current usage: Probably closed. Links: Google Maps Probable location http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.040811,19.996576&spn=0.011928,0.0... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4102 E02000, 351'

Location of airfield: Probably northeast of Cërrik. The location is taken from TPC maps. It cannot be clearly identified on Google Earth.

Usage during the Cold War: Reserve airbase

Current usage: Probably closed.

Links:

Google Maps Probable location http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.040811,19.996576&spn=0.011928,0.0...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Farka

(Tirana-Farka, Farke)

N4119 E01953, LAFK Location of airfield: 6 km east-southeast of Tirana city center. Usage during the Cold War: Military heliport Current usage: Military heliport Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.315143,19.885447&spn=0.011878,0.0... Harbin Z-5 (Mi-4) at Farka http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1301887/M/ Harbin Z-5 (Mi-4) http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1052617/M/ Helicopter wreckage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1215442/M/ Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4119 E01953, LAFK

Location of airfield: 6 km east-southeast of Tirana city center.

Usage during the Cold War: Military heliport

Current usage: Military heliport

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.315143,19.885447&spn=0.011878,0.0...

Harbin Z-5 (Mi-4) at Farka http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1301887/M/

Harbin Z-5 (Mi-4) http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1052617/M/

Helicopter wreckage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Harbin-Z-5/1215442/M/

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Gjadër

(Gjader, Lezhë, Lezha, Gramsh)

N4154 E01936, 23', LAGJ Location of airfield: 13 km north-northwest of Lezhë, northeast of Gjadër. Usage during the Cold War: Albanian Air Force airbase. Current usage: Airbase, Car racing track Runways: 16/34: 2800 m x 60 m Concrete, 17/35: 2200 m x 28 m Concrete (Reserve) Taxiways and ramps: At its southern end, runway 17/35 changes into a taxiway, which crosses the river Drin with a bridge. It leads to an underground aircraft storage (see AL-1). Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.890266,19.598751&spn=0.09418,0.15... Shenyang F-6 in the underground storage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6/1260729/M/ Chengdu F-7A in the underground storage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Chengdu-F-7A/1119432/M/ Garat ne Gjader, Racing in Albania Video about car racing at the Gjadër airbase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHteRaR2BME Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4154 E01936, 23', LAGJ

Location of airfield: 13 km north-northwest of Lezhë, northeast of Gjadër.

Usage during the Cold War: Albanian Air Force airbase.

Current usage: Airbase, Car racing track

Runways: 16/34: 2800 m x 60 m Concrete, 17/35: 2200 m x 28 m Concrete (Reserve)

Taxiways and ramps: At its southern end, runway 17/35 changes into a taxiway, which crosses the river Drin with a bridge. It leads to an underground aircraft storage (see AL-1).

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.890266,19.598751&spn=0.09418,0.15...

Shenyang F-6 in the underground storage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6/1260729/M/

Chengdu F-7A in the underground storage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Chengdu-F-7A/1119432/M/

Garat ne Gjader, Racing in Albania Video about car racing at the Gjadër airbase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHteRaR2BME

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Gjirokastër

(Gjirokastra)

N4005 E02009, 666' Location of airfield: Northeast of Gjirokastër. Runways: 14/32: 1500 m Grass Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.087429,20.152552&spn=0.012099,0.0... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4005 E02009, 666'

Location of airfield: Northeast of Gjirokastër.

Runways: 14/32: 1500 m Grass

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.087429,20.152552&spn=0.012099,0.0...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Korçë

(Korce Northwest, Korça)

N4039 E02044, LAKO Location of airfield: 4 km northwest of Korçë city center. Runways: 01/19: 3600 m Grass Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.64561,20.739226&spn=0.023998,0.03... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4039 E02044, LAKO

Location of airfield: 4 km northwest of Korçë city center.

Runways: 01/19: 3600 m Grass

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.64561,20.739226&spn=0.023998,0.03...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Kuçova

(Kuçovë, Kucova, Berat/Kucove)

N4046 E01954, 135', LAKV Location of airfield: 4 km south-southwest of Kuçova. Usage during the Cold War: Albanian Air Force airbase. Current usage: Albanian Air Force airbase. Runways: 14/32: 2840 m x 67 m Beton, 09/27: 2500 m (Reserve), 14/32: 1070 m (closed) Taxiways and ramps: Runway 09/27 ends in the east at an underground aircraft storage (see AL-1). Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.773977,19.906883&spn=0.047904,0.0... Stored Shenyang F-6 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6/1202216/M/ Stored MiG-17 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-17/1... Nanchang PT-6 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Nanchang-PT-6/1169697/M/ MiG-15bis in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15bi... MiG-15bis http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT... MiG-15UTI in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT... Shenyang F-5 in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-5/1142666/M/ Video of stored F-6C/MiG-19S and F-5/MiG-17F http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI9LJM4sZ7E Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4046 E01954, 135', LAKV

Location of airfield: 4 km south-southwest of Kuçova.

Usage during the Cold War: Albanian Air Force airbase.

Current usage: Albanian Air Force airbase.

Runways: 14/32: 2840 m x 67 m Beton, 09/27: 2500 m (Reserve), 14/32: 1070 m (closed)

Taxiways and ramps: Runway 09/27 ends in the east at an underground aircraft storage (see AL-1).

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.773977,19.906883&spn=0.047904,0.0...

Stored Shenyang F-6 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6/1202216/M/

Stored MiG-17 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-17/1...

Nanchang PT-6 http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Nanchang-PT-6/1169697/M/

MiG-15bis in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15bi...

MiG-15bis http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT...

MiG-15UTI in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT...

Shenyang F-5 in the underground storage. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-5/1142666/M/

Video of stored F-6C/MiG-19S and F-5/MiG-17F http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI9LJM4sZ7E

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Kukës

(Kukes)

N4203 E02024, 1552' Location of airfield: 5 km south-southwest of Kukës. Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.035971,20.415087&spn=0.046983,0.0... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4203 E02024, 1552'

Location of airfield: 5 km south-southwest of Kukës.

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.035971,20.415087&spn=0.046983,0.0...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Mifol

(Akerni, Pish Poro)

N4036 E01926, 36' Usage during the Cold War: Reserve airfield Current usage: Probably closed. Runways: 13/31: 3500 m Grass Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.606524,19.422884&spn=0.048025,0.0... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4036 E01926, 36'

Usage during the Cold War: Reserve airfield

Current usage: Probably closed.

Runways: 13/31: 3500 m Grass

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.606524,19.422884&spn=0.048025,0.0...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Shkodër

N4207 E01932, 98' Location of airfield: 6 km northeast of Shkodër city center. Runways: 18/36: 2300 m Grass Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.11376,19.541502&spn=0.023463,0.03... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4207 E01932, 98'

Location of airfield: 6 km northeast of Shkodër city center.

Runways: 18/36: 2300 m Grass

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.11376,19.541502&spn=0.023463,0.03...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Tirana Lapraka

N4120 E01948, 299' Location of airfield: Formerly in front of the northwestern city limits; it seems that the city was extended to this area over the last years. Current usage: Closed. Runways: 12/30: ca. 1100 m Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.33216,19.791656&spn=0.02375,0.038... An AS-350B Ecureuil at the former airfield, new houses in the background. Aerospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil auf dem ehem. Flugplatz, neue Wohnhäuser... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4120 E01948, 299'

Location of airfield: Formerly in front of the northwestern city limits; it seems that the city was extended to this area over the last years.

Current usage: Closed.

Runways: 12/30: ca. 1100 m

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.33216,19.791656&spn=0.02375,0.038...

An AS-350B Ecureuil at the former airfield, new houses in the background. Aerospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil auf dem ehem. Flugplatz, neue Wohnhäuser...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Tirana Rinas

N4125 E01943, 126', LATI Location of airfield: 12 km northwest of Tirana city center. Usage during the Cold War: Joint use as airbase and the only international airport of Albania. Current usage: Airbase and civil airport. Runways: 18/36 Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.412801,19.718227&spn=0.047441,0.0... Homepage http://www.tirana-airport.com.al/ Aerial picture 2008 http://www.airliners.net/photo/1352589/M/ Shenyang F-6C in front of a Shelter http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6C/1124161/M/ Stored MiG-15UTI and Il-14 wreckage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4125 E01943, 126', LATI

Location of airfield: 12 km northwest of Tirana city center.

Usage during the Cold War: Joint use as airbase and the only international airport of Albania.

Current usage: Airbase and civil airport.

Runways: 18/36

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.412801,19.718227&spn=0.047441,0.0...

Homepage http://www.tirana-airport.com.al/

Aerial picture 2008 http://www.airliners.net/photo/1352589/M/

Shenyang F-6C in front of a Shelter http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Shenyang-F-6C/1124161/M/

Stored MiG-15UTI and Il-14 wreckage http://www.airliners.net/photo/Albania---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-15UT...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Vlorë

N4029 E01928, 10', LAVL Location of airfield: Northwest of Vlorë. Current usage: Closed. Links: Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.476301,19.476614&spn=0.024059,0.0... Maps: TPC F-3D Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

N4029 E01928, 10', LAVL

Location of airfield: Northwest of Vlorë.

Current usage: Closed.

Links:

Google Maps http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.476301,19.476614&spn=0.024059,0.0...

Maps: TPC F-3D

Important: For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Unidentified Airfields

Internet sources (see links below) mention three more airfields: Island of Sazan, Orishti and Shijak.

Island of Sezan: I could not identify any airfield installation on Google Earth. It seems that the topography of the island is generally unsuitable to build an airfield.
I cannot find a location named Orishti. Obviously, the other sources have the same problem.
In the area of Shijak, I could not identify any airfield. According to a US map from the year (ca.) 1960, there was an airfield southwest of Shijak, between the road Salmanaj-Rreth and the river Erzen, approximately at N4120 E01933. But Google Earth and other satellite pictures back to 1999 do not show appropriate installations or relicts. The internet sources say that this was a MiG base. But the maximum available length here would be 1,5 km (direction ca. 150°/330°), which would be quite short for jet operations.

Any comments and corrections to these airbases are welcome!

Links

Albania Air Force - Military Air Bases and Airfields List of Albanian Airforce bases and airfields http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/albania/af/albaf-bases.htm

Glossary

The following terms might help you for your own research on search engines. I'm not an expert for hungarian, so it is without warranty. Corrections and additions are welcome!

Aeroplan	Aircraft
Avion	Aircraft
Baza ajrore	Airbase
Pistën ajrore	Airfield
Shqipëria	Albania