Charter flight with migrants from Italy to Albania

Dozens of foreigners were transferred on February 17 from Repatriation Centers (CPR) operating in Italy to the corresponding center in Gjader, Albania.

That day, a special charter flight departed from Rome, initially carrying approximately 20 to 30 irregular migrants, escorted by a strong police force numbering 90 to 100 officers.

Ξανά αντιμέτωπος με τη φυλακή ο πρώην δήμαρχος Χιμάρας λίγους μήνες μετά την αποφυλάκισή του

According to Italian media, after a stopover in Bari, the number of passengers increased to 30-40 before the final takeoff to Tirana. These figures emerge from documents from the Central Directorate for Migration and Border Police of the Italian Ministry of the Interior, which commissioned the flight, for 58,212 euros plus VAT, to an aircraft rental company.

According to the same documents, the operation is part of the implementation Of the Italy-Albania cooperation protocol to strengthen coordination on migration. The initial scheme provided that only Migrants who had been identified or rescued at sea would be transferred To gjader. However, On March 28, 2025, the italian government issued a decree officially activating the CPR in Albania.

Based on this regulation, it is now possible to transfer to the immigrant reception center in Gjader also irregular foreigners for whom a return procedure to their country of origin has already been initiated, following validation by a competent judicial officer.