Don't let the name fool you;this small international transit hub is surprisingly modern.Credit:Getty
THE AIRPORT
Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza (Mother Teresa),also known as Rinas International Airport (TIA).
THE FLIGHT
ITA Airways flight AZ585 from Tirana,Albania to Rome,Italy.
THE ARRIVAL
Named in honour of Albanian nun and missionary,Mother Teresa,Tirana International Airport is located about 20 kilometres from downtown Tirana. There's a public bus to the airport,but I opt for the convenience of a taxi. I hail one on the street in front of the hotel I've stayed at,then negotiate a flat-rate fare of ALL1500 (Albanian Lek),about $20. Uber doesn't exist in Albania. Neither,apparently,do road rules. Or seatbelts. The 25-minute stomach-churning drive to the outskirts of the city is a great opportunity to practise deep breathing and optimism.
THE LOOK
TIA is the largest airport in Albania and claims to be the seventh busiest in the Balkans,which is kind of like being the fifth runner-up at the school talent quest. Construction began in the 1950s and the airport's fortunes faced many eco-political setbacks in the ensuing decades until things started looking up with the collapse of communism in the 1990s. A new passenger terminal,designed by Malaysian architect Hin Tan,opened in 2007. The glass structure is modern,compact and seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor facilities.
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