Environmentalists protest airport project near Albanian bird sanctuary

Albanian environment activists hold banners during a protest against the new airport in the Vjose-Narte area in Vlora, Albania, January 28, 2023. REUTERS/Florion Goga

VJOSE-NARTE, Albania (Reuters) - Environmentalists protested over the weekend at the building site of a new airport in Albania's south meant to boost tourism but which they say will endanger sanctuaries for some 200 bird species including flamingos and pelicans.

The picturesque Vjose-Narte lagoon close to Albania's Adriatic seaside is a crucial stop for flocks of birds in their annual migration between Europe and Africa.