The city of Munich is ending its indirect involvement via Flughafen München GmbH, whose subsidiary Munich Airport International (MAI) has so far been involved in the controversial project in an advisory capacity, according to its own statements. This was reported at the meeting of the Economic Committee.
Airport construction in a bird paradise: Construction of Vlora International Airport continues despite protests.
© Hansjörg Brey
Two flocks of greater flamingos, with the control tower of the planned airport under construction in the background. The construction of the airport in the immediate vincinity of Narta Lagoon is not only a disaster for birdlife in the area, but also questionable in terms of flight safety.
© Zydjon Vorpsi/ PPNEAMunich, Vlora, Radolfzell. MAI's withdrawal from the controversial Vlora airport project in Albania is a major success for EuroNatur, BUND Naturschutz and local environmental organisations on the ground. "Our perseverance has paid off in the end, at least as far as the German involvement is concerned. We have been fighting against this nature-destroying project for almost two years. The fact that Munich is now pulling out shows that public responsibility cannot and must not end at the city limits," explains Christian Hierneis, Chairman of the BN Munich district group.
BN state representative Martin Geilhufe explains: "BUND Naturschutz was on site itself in 2023 to get an idea of the situation. The BN representatives saw the flocks of flamingos living in the Narta Lagoon - the aeroplanes would fly right through this protected area. The local environmental organisations must not give up now and must continue to fight against the project!"
The international nature conservation organisation EuroNatur has been active in Albania for years and supports its local project partners, including by taking legal action in court. Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur, explains: “Just a month ago, Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama claimed at the ITB in Berlin that Munich Airport would operate Vlora Airport. Now this statement is collapsing like a house of cards. We call on the Albanian government to stop this environmentally damaging and, in our view, illegal project.”
The planned airport is being built directly neighbouring the Narta Lagoon, an internationally protected wetland of outstanding importance for bird migration. In addition to the Bern Convention, the European Parliament and the European Commission have also sharply criticised the construction of the airport in a European protected area.
Background information:
- Narta Lagoon: Narta Lagoon is situated in the Vjosa delta, directly on one of the last unspoilt parts of Albania’s Adriatic coast. In 2023, the river Vjosa achieved wider recognition: after ten years of campaigning by EuroNatur and its partner organisations Riverwatch and EcoAlbania, it was declared the first European wild river national park and put under protection by the Albanian government. The construction of Vlora airport was promoted at the same time.
- Munich Airport operating company: Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Flughafen München GmbH (FMG). Shareholders of FMG are the Free State of Bavaria (51 percent), the Federal Republic of Germany (26 percent) and Bavaria’s capital, Munich (23 percent).
Queries:
Christian Stielow, Tel: 07732-927215; E-Mail: christian.stielow(at)euronatur.org
Felix Hälbich, Tel. 089 / 514 69 76 11; 0171 / 337 54 59; E-Mail: felix.haelbich(at)bund-naturschutz.de