Emergency Arbitrator Allows Vlora Airport Contract Termination to Take Effect

An Emergency Arbitrator has denied to suspend the termination of the concession agreement of Vlaura Airport of Albania. This led to the dispute moving forward before the main arbitral tribunal.

The proceeding was initiated by Vlaura International Airport (VIA) after Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) had terminated the concession agreement.

In an order, which was issued on 16 September 2026, VIA’s request to suspend the termination was rejected by the emergency arbitrator since it was found that neither the contract nor the evidence which was placed before the proceedings provided a sufficient basis for granting that relief.

VIA’s requests as to mediation and two months postponement of the arbitration  were also rejected.

Nevertheless, limited interim relief has been granted by the Emergency Arbitrator to maintain status quo. MIE has been temporarily prevented from the exercise of certain rights under the termination till the constituting of the arbitral tribunal to decide upon the issue. The temporary relief does not affect the termination of the agreement or prevent its operation.

Thus, the order of the emergency arbitrator does not determine the dispute in the underlying contract which will be decided by the constituted arbitral tribunal.