Ryanair to Open Base in Tirana (Albania) with Three Aircraft and Ten New Routes for Summer 2026
Ryanair has confirmed that it will inaugurate a new operational base at Tirana International Airport, Albania, starting in April 2026. The airline will station three Boeing 737-800 aircraft, representing a $300 million investment, and will create over 3,000 jobs, including 100 new positions for pilots and cabin crew.
Expanded Routes and Enhanced Connectivity
With this opening, Ryanair will increase its market share in Albania, offering a total of 33 routes for the summer 2026 season. Among these, ten new destinations stand out: Birmingham, Dublin, Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznan, Trieste, Turin, and Verona. Additionally, the airline will boost frequencies on existing routes such as Bari, London, Prague, Stockholm, and Warsaw, reaching over 450 weekly flights.
Growth Projections
The Tirana base is expected to increase passenger traffic to 4 million annually. Long-term plans include Ryanair expanding its investment in Albania to $600 million by 2030, with six based aircraft, more than 20 new routes, and passenger numbers exceeding 5 million per year—provided the country maintains its low-cost access policies and zero aviation taxes.
→ Ryanair Sets New Monthly Record: 20.7 Million Passengers in July
Launch Promotions
To celebrate the opening, the airline has launched a ticket promotion with fares starting at €24.99 for travel in October and November. These fares are available exclusively on Ryanair’s website for three days.
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s CEO, emphasized that the airline is the only one in Albania offering truly low fares and noted that this move is the result of close collaboration with Tirana Airport since 2023.
Meanwhile, Piervittorio Farabbi, the airport’s operations director, highlighted that this expansion follows a comprehensive modernization effort, including runway extensions, new parking stands, upgraded taxiways, and a terminal three times larger, alongside technological improvements in check-in, boarding, and passport control processes.
This new base strengthens Ryanair’s presence in the Balkan market and opens opportunities to position Albania as an increasingly accessible tourist destination with enhanced air connectivity and international visibility.
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