The Gjadër airfield is unique in Albania in that it was built beside a mountain. It was designed so that aircraft could taxi into a tunnel under the mountain after landing. The tunnels have the capacity to store about 50 aircraft plus personnel. Because the airfield is set into the side of the mountain, pilots have to be careful not to turn while taking off, as they could crash into the mountainside.
On 12 March 1997, the base was stormed by local people during a national revolt against the Albanian government. Several buildings, including the control tower, were destroyed. On 16 March, soldiers abandoned the air base. Lack of funds prevented the base from being repaired, and flying operations ceased in 2000. It is now used as a storage facility for fighter aircraft withdrawn from service. No Albanian air force aircraft are permanently based there.
Since then, the underground shelter has become a tomb for more than 70 aircraft. Some of them stand outside, and some inside.
These are the big blast-resistant doors, built to close off a specific gate for aircraft.
Blast-resistant doors in the open position.
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Additional tunnels leading to the commutator room.
The walls of the tunnel shelter are covered on the inside with rubber sheets.
All the aircraft inside have been destroyed.
Deeper in the tunnel is a spare-parts store holding many jet engines.
There are even anti-aircraft machine guns.
An old Soviet military truck.
All photo credits to Lana Sator
Its posible to visit? Is closed to public? If is posible to visit, how much money? Thanks this page is amazing
Hey bro I’m around the corner from the Gjadër Air Base just wondering if it is still abandoned!?
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