Turkish Airlines Sells Air Albania Stake, Shifts Focus to Air Europa

Turkish Airlines has announced that its board of directors has approved the sale of the company’s entire 49 percent stake in Air Albania, the Albanian flag carrier that Turkish Airlines helped launch seven years ago.

The airline did not specify the reasons behind its decision but noted that additional information will be shared with investors as the divestment process advances.

The decision comes shortly after Turkish Airlines invested $349 million to acquire a 25–27 percent minority stake in Air Europa, the Spanish carrier. This indicates a broader shift in the company’s European strategy, with an emphasis on aligning with larger airlines in more competitive markets.

For Air Albania, the exit of its founding strategic partner creates uncertainty around its future development and ownership structure. However, it may also present opportunities for new investment and a more autonomous strategic direction.

Air Albania’s remaining shareholders include MDN Investment, which holds 41 percent, and Albcontrol, a state-owned Albanian aviation entity that owns 10 percent.

Recently, Turkish Airlines released its third-quarter 2025 financial results, reporting solid growth despite a challenging cost environment.

The airline generated approximately $6.95 billion in revenue for the quarter, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The carrier also reported record passenger volumes, although rising operational expenses continue to place pressure on profitability.

Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash