Turkey has donated a VIP Airbus A319 government aircraft to Albania, valued at approximately $11.9 million, as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
According to Turkish media, citing a bilateral agreement published in the Official Gazette, the aircraft—configured for government use and previously operated by Turkish Airlines—will be transferred to the Albanian state free of charge, with all ownership transfer costs covered by the Turkish side.
The agreement aims to deepen institutional partnership between Albania and Turkey, particularly in the fields of civil aviation, defense, and technical cooperation, and is also viewed as a symbolic gesture of support for Albania’s regional role and integration.
The state-configured aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 75,900 kg, is powered by two CFM56-5B7/P engines with over 7,000 remaining cycles each, and is equipped with the AS400 airshow system, but does not include onboard entertainment or internet connectivity. This configuration is commonly used by governmental and diplomatic fleets, including those of NATO member states.
