Turkish Airlines is preparing to exit its partnership in Air Albania, announcing plans to sell its entire shareholding in the Albanian carrier it helped launch in 2018. The airline currently holds a 49 percent stake but has stated that its board of directors has decided to divest fully, without offering details on the reasons behind the move.

Air Albania, which operates a small fleet of Airbus A320s, flies to around a dozen destinations across Europe and has positioned itself as a national carrier since its establishment seven years ago. According to Albania’s national business centre, QKB, the airline was created as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines, MDN Investment, and Albcontrol, the country’s air navigation services provider. MDN Investment holds 41 percent of the shares, while Albcontrol owns the remaining 10 percent.

No buyer for Turkish Airlines’ stake has been named, and the future structure of Air Albania remains unclear as the airline enters its next phase without its founding partner.

The divestment comes as Turkish Airlines pursues growth elsewhere, including its plans to acquire a significant minority stake in Spain’s Air Europa. The move suggests a strategic realignment for Turkey’s flag carrier as it deepens its presence in other European markets while stepping away from its Albanian venture.