Gjirokastër Airfield

The airfield ceased operations following the collapse of communism in Albania in 1991-1992. This led to a significant downsizing of the Albanian military and the obsolescence of the Albanian Air Force's Soviet and Chinese-made aircraft. It was not a commercial closure but a military abandonment due to systemic political and economic change.

The site is defunct as an airfield and is in a state of disrepair, with a cracked runway and dilapidated hangars. The grounds are now used for various public and private events, most notably as the venue for the annual 'South Outdoor Festival,' which features music, sports, and cultural activities. The open space is also used for informal activities like driving practice and occasionally for agriculture and livestock grazing.

Built around 1929, it was one of Albania's first airfields and a key node in the country's early domestic aviation network, with flights operated by companies like the German Adria-Aero-Lloyd connecting to Tirana. During World War II, it was used by Italian forces. In the post-war communist era under Enver Hoxha, it served as a military airbase for the Albanian Air Force, primarily for defensive purposes and connecting the isolated south of the country. Its location in the Drino valley was strategic for controlling the southern region near the Greek border.

There are no plans to reopen or refurbish the original Gjirokastër Airfield. However, the Albanian government has announced a major project to build a new, modern regional airport in the vicinity (Dropull valley) to serve the growing tourism industry in southern Albania, including the UNESCO city of Gjirokastër and the coastal city of Saranda. While the project has been declared a strategic investment and tenders have been discussed, it has faced delays and a definitive construction timeline is not yet established.