Ryanair to Launch New Tirana Base in April 2026 with 3 Aircraft, 10 New Routes, and $300 Million Investment
Ryanair, recognized as Albania’s fastest-growing airline, announced on Thursday, 14 August, its ambitious plans to establish a new operational base at Tirana International Airport (TIA) starting April 2026. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the airline’s rapid expansion within Albania, underscoring its commitment to developing the local aviation market, boosting tourism, and generating employment opportunities.
The new base will initially host three Boeing 737-800 aircraft, representing an investment of $300 million. This move is expected to support over 3,000 jobs in Albania, including the creation of 100 high-paying roles for pilots and cabin crew directly linked to the new operations.
Expanding Ryanair’s Presence in Albania
Ryanair has been operating in Albania since November 2023, when it introduced its first flights to and from Tirana. Since then, the airline has grown quickly, capturing a substantial share of the Albanian market thanks to its low fares, extensive route network, and operational efficiency. The establishment of a dedicated base at Tirana represents the next stage in Ryanair’s long-term strategy for the country.
For the Summer 2026 schedule (S26), the new Tirana base will operate over 450 weekly flights across 33 routes connecting Albania to 13 different countries. This includes 10 exciting new routes to:
- Birmingham
- Dublin
- Milan
- Malta
- Naples
- Pescara
- Poznan
- Trieste
- Turin
- Verona
In addition to these new destinations, Ryanair will also increase flight frequencies on nine existing popular routes, including connections to Bari, London, Prague, Stockholm, and Warsaw. This combination of network growth and increased service frequency is designed to cater to both leisure travelers and the growing number of Albanians traveling for business, education, and family visits.
Strategic and Economic Impact
Ryanair’s Summer 2026 Tirana base will deliver:
- 3 based aircraft – a $300 million investment
- 10 new routes, adding to the airline’s existing network
- 33 total routes to 13 countries
- Traffic growth to 4 million passengers per year
- Support for over 3,000 jobs in Albania
Looking beyond 2026, Ryanair has set out a five-year growth plan for Albania. This includes:
- Expanding to up to six based aircraft at Tirana by 2030
- Increasing investment to $600 million
- Serving over 5 million passengers annually
- Opening more than 20 new routes
- Supporting over 4,000 jobs
However, Ryanair’s long-term investment and growth plans are contingent on Albania maintaining its low airport access costs and zero aviation taxes. The airline has emphasized that these conditions are essential to keep stimulating demand, attracting new tourism, and sustaining economic benefits for the country.
Celebrating the New Base with a Seat Sale
To celebrate the launch of the new Tirana base, Ryanair has announced a three-day seat sale, with fares starting at just €24.99 for travel in October and November. These promotional tickets will be available exclusively on the airline’s website, ryanair.com, giving both Albanian and international travelers a chance to book early at highly competitive rates.
Statements from Ryanair and Tirana Airport
Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion:
“As Albania’s only truly low fares airline, Ryanair is delighted to announce this new Summer 2026 – 3 aircraft – Tirana base. Since launching our first Albania flights in November 2023, Ryanair has worked closely with our partners in Tirana Airport to deliver ambitious growth. This expansion will see Ryanair’s traffic grow to over 4 million passengers in 2026, with 3 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft ($300 million investment) based in Tirana, supporting over 3,000 local jobs, and operating 33 routes, including 10 exciting new destinations.
Ryanair’s continued growth at Tirana offers Albania a massive opportunity to increase air traffic, tourism, and job creation. Our plans include growing to 5 million passengers annually and basing up to 6 aircraft at Tirana in a $600 million investment that will add over 20 new routes by 2030. Of course, this growth is dependent on Albania maintaining its current low access costs and zero aviation taxes, which have proven to stimulate rapid growth in tourism, investment, and jobs.”
Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer of Tirana International Airport, highlighted the strategic importance of the decision:
“When Ryanair began operations in Albania in November 2023, the team introduced the concept of a ‘Low Fares Revolution’ in our market. Today, we mark a pivotal moment in this revolution by announcing the opening of a base in Tirana. Starting next summer season, there will be significantly more opportunities to explore the world from Tirana, while also bringing more international visitors to experience Albania’s tourism potential.
This decision by a partner airline is the result of our commitment to operational excellence. We have heavily invested in expanding both landside and airside capacities – extending the runway, adding parking stands, renovating the apron and taxiways, and tripling the size of the terminal. Passenger processing must be fast and reliable, which is why we have implemented advanced digital solutions for check-in, boarding, and passport control. We are proud to have transformed from an operational station to a base airport in just 30 months.”
Strengthening Albania’s Tourism and Connectivity
The creation of Ryanair’s base in Tirana is expected to have a significant impact on Albania’s tourism sector. The country has been gaining popularity among travelers for its Mediterranean beaches, mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and affordability compared to other European destinations.
With Ryanair’s expanded network, more European travelers will have direct and low-cost access to Albania’s capital and beyond. Similarly, Albanians will enjoy more convenient connections to major European cities, enabling easier travel for work, education, and leisure.
Increased air connectivity will also benefit Albania’s economy more broadly. More flights and passengers mean increased business for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and local service providers. Additionally, the influx of visitors supports infrastructure investment and encourages further development in both urban and rural areas.
A Milestone in Ryanair’s Regional Growth
The Tirana base opening is part of Ryanair’s wider strategy to grow its footprint in Southeastern Europe, tapping into new markets with strong potential for low-cost air travel. Albania’s location, between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and within easy reach of Italy, Greece, and the Balkans, makes it a strategic hub for connecting Eastern and Western Europe.
By 2030, if Ryanair’s growth targets are met, Tirana International Airport could see passenger numbers that rival or exceed many larger regional airports. This would firmly position Albania as a competitive player in the European aviation market.
In summary, Ryanair’s decision to open a base at Tirana International Airport in April 2026 represents a transformative development for Albania’s aviation and tourism sectors. With three based aircraft, ten new routes, and an initial $300 million investment, the airline is setting the stage for long-term growth, job creation, and enhanced international connectivity. Supported by a collaborative approach with Tirana Airport and favorable national aviation policies, this move could redefine Albania’s role in European air travel over the coming decade.