Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) announced on Saturday that all regular international flights from and to Tirana International Airport (TIA) will resume on June 22.

According to a statement from MIE, the restart of air transport will have, as a priority, the preventive and protective rules of health safety as recommended in the guidelines drafted by the international civil aviation organizations and public health institute.

The decision to resume regular international flights was taken in accordance with the statement of the European Commission, which on June 1 recommended the lifting of travel restrictions for Western Balkan countries, including Albania as of July 1, said MIE.

The ministry underlined that starting from June 22, airlines operating from and to TIA must take the necessary measures to enable the reservation of flights.

Airline companies will be responsible for informing passengers of possible restrictions on departures from TIA to the intended destination airport, as well as on all requirements, health care, and safety rules at the destination airports.

Albanian Civil Aviation Authority will monitor the implementation of all measures and the procedures to be followed by airlines.

TIA is about to resume its regular activity following a nearly three-month closure due to the coronavirus outbreak in Albania.

The government has lifted the majority of lockdown measures imposed since March 9 in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

On Saturday, health authorities reported 53 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total confirmed number in the country to 1,891, with 1,126 recoveries and 43 fatalities.