The controversy surrounding the construction of the Vlora Airport has drawn significant attention from environmental organizations and concerned citizens alike. At the center of this pivotal debate stands a powerful dissenting voice—Judge Blerona Hasa.
Environmental Organizations Raise Alarm Over Vlora Airport
In response to a lawsuit led by environmental organizations, including the Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS), calling for a halt to the airport’s construction due to irreversible ecological damage in the Narta Lagoon and its broader implications for the newly declared Vjosë National Park, the Administrative Court of Appeal ultimately rejected the request. However, Judge Hasa issued a notable dissent.
AOS and Others File Legal Action to Protect Narta Lagoon and Vjosa National Park Court Decision: Rejection Amidst Growing Backlash
Judge Hasa emphasized that the protection of the Vjosë-Nartë Protected Landscape—an integral part of Albania’s natural heritage—should not be sacrificed for infrastructural development. She argued that sustainable values like biodiversity and environmental integrity must take precedence, warning that the environmental harm caused by the airport project cannot be undone or offset by advancements in the transport sector.
Her dissenting opinion has resonated widely, reminding us that individual voices can challenge the status quo and inspire collective environmental responsibility.
