Ryanair to open new base in Tirana für Summer 2026 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The investment of USD 300 million will secure over 3,000 jobs, including 100 new, well-paid positions for pilots and cabin crew.

With the new Tirana base, Ryanair will expand its market share in Albania and operate over 450 weekly flights in the Summer 2026 schedule across 33 routes, including 10 exciting new destinations: Birmingham, Dublin, Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznań, Trieste, Turin, and Verona. Additional flights will be added on nine existing routes, including Bari, London, Prague, Stockholm, and Warsaw.

Ryanair’s new S26 base in Tirana:

·         3 based aircraft – USD 300 million investment

·         10 new routes to Birmingham, Dublin, Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznań, Trieste, Turin, Verona

·         33 routes in total to 13 countries

·         Traffic growth to 4 million passengers annually

·         Over 3,000 jobs supported in Albania

Over the next five years, Ryanair plans continued investment in Albania, including up to six based aircraft (USD 600 million investment), growth to over 5 million passengers per year, the launch of more than 20 new routes, and the creation of over 4,000 jobs by 2030 – conditional on Albania maintaining its current policy of low access costs and zero aviation taxes to stimulate further growth in traffic and tourism while boosting investment and employment.

To celebrate the launch of this new S26 base in Tirana, Ryanair has announced a three-day seat sale, with fares starting from just €24.99 for travel in October and November – available exclusively at ryanair.com.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said:

“As Albania’s only real low-fares airline, Ryanair is delighted to announce this new S26 base in Tirana with three aircraft. Since our first flights to Albania in November 2023, we have worked closely with our partners at Tirana Airport to achieve ambitious growth. This will now see Ryanair’s passenger numbers in 2026 rise to over 4 million – with three new B737-800 aircraft (USD 300 million investment) based in Tirana, securing over 3,000 local jobs and serving 33 routes, including 10 new ones to Birmingham, Dublin, Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznań, Trieste, Turin, and Verona.

Ryanair’s continued growth in Tirana offers Albania a huge opportunity to expand air traffic, tourism, and employment. We plan to grow to 5 million passengers annually and base up to six aircraft in Tirana – a USD 600 million investment, adding over 20 new routes by 2030, provided Albania maintains its low access costs and zero aviation taxes, which will drive rapid growth in traffic, tourism, investment, and jobs.”

Tirana Airport Chief Operating Officer Piervittorio Farabbi said:

“When Ryanair began operations in Albania in November 2023, the team brought with it the slogan ‘Low Fares Revolution’. Today we mark a decisive moment in that revolution by announcing the opening of a base in Tirana. From next summer season, there will be significantly more opportunities to explore the world from Tirana and to showcase Albania’s tourism in more countries.

Such a decision by a partner airline can only be the result of our firm commitment to operational excellence. We have invested heavily to expand our capacity both landside and airside, with an extended runway, additional parking stands, renovated apron and taxiway infrastructure, and a terminal tripled in size. Passenger processing must be fast and reliable; therefore, we have invested in advanced digital solutions for check-in, boarding, and passport control. We are proud to be among the fastest airports to transform from a purely departure point into a fully operational base in just 30 months.”

Image Credit: © Ryanair