Lagardère Travel Retail expands into Albania with Duty Free operations at Tirana International Airport

Lagardère Travel Retail is delighted to announce the launch of its Duty Free operations at Tirana International Airport (TIA), marking the successful materialization of its strategic partnership with the Kastrati Group. This collaboration initiated in October 2023, not only introduces Lagardère Travel Retail’s world-class expertise to Albania but also strengthens its presence in the dynamic Balkan region.

The partnership comes at a pivotal time for Albania, a country experiencing a remarkable tourism boom, with the sector’s contribution to the national economy doubling in 2023. As part of this agreement, Lagardère Travel Retail will become the exclusive Duty Free operator at Tirana International Airport, bringing a new and diverse range of products and services, including exclusivity, that combines international standards with items celebrating Albanian culture.

Dag Rasmussen, Chairman and CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail, commented: “We are thrilled to bring our global expertise to support Albania’s growth and tourism development. This partnership with the Kastrati Group reflects our shared ambition to create exceptional travel retail experiences that combine the best of international and local offerings.”

Mrs. Marsida Pallko, Administrator of Tirana International Airport, added: “Collaborating with Lagardère Travel Retail is a significant step forward for TIA. Their experience and approach to travel retail will undoubtedly enhance the airport’s commercial offer and provide an elevated experience for our passengers. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring for Albania and for TIA as we continue to grow.”

Following the official handover of operations in January 2025, Lagardère Travel Retail will begin an ambitious program to enhance the retail experience at Tirana International Airport. This includes a comprehensive refurbishment of the existing Duty Free store from March 2025, and plans for an extended terminal to accommodate the growing number of travelers. Indeed, TIA has been the airport with the highest traffic growth in Europe over the past two years.

With over 60 years of experience in international Duty Free, Lagardère Travel Retail brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation to this partnership, while the Kastrati Group’s strong local presence and diversified portfolio further cement the potential for success. Together, the two companies are poised to deliver world-class retail solutions that meet the needs of both international travelers and local consumers.

Left to right :

• Piervittorio FARABBI – Chief Operating Officer – Tirana International Airport
• Marsida PALLKO – Administrator – Tirana International Airport
• Charlotte DELMAS – Chief Operational Performance Officer & Regional COO Europe – Lagardère Travel Retail
• Stanislav BERÁNEK – CEO Albania – Lagardère Travel Retail

About Lagardère Travel Retail
One of the two priority divisions of Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail is a leading global Travel Retailer, with the longest standing expertise of serving the needs of travelers and partners across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice. Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 5,120 stores in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries, and has generated €6.6 bn in sales (100%) in 2023.  
We harness our pioneering culture to make travel more enjoyable with bespoke offers and experiences. We invest our world-class global expertise and local knowledge to design value-creating partnerships and experiences for our stakeholders: landlords, brands, travelers, employees and communities.  ​ We actively champion the more sustainable future of Travel Retail through our comprehensive CSR strategy, covering all aspects of where we, as a business, have an impact and can make a difference.  
www.lagardere-tr.com  ●  @LagardereTR