Ryanair, the low-cost airline in Albania, announced today (Tuesday, January 20) that it will add a fourth B737-800 aircraft to its Tirana base from April 2026 (an investment of $400 million) and will open 20 new direct routes, such as Alghero, Baden-Baden, Eindhoven, Genoa, Memmingen, Parma and Wroclaw, in addition to the 23 existing routes for the Summer 2026 season (43 routes in total). This expansion will create the opportunity for over 3,000 new jobs and 120 high-paying positions for Ryanair pilots and cabin crew in Tirana.

This $400 million investment by Ryanair in Tirana is a direct result of the Albanian government’s proactive policy of eliminating aviation taxes and the successful growth of Tirana Airport. Ryanair will bring a 50% increase in traffic and 4 million passengers by 2026.

Ryanair's program for Tirana during the summer of 2026 will offer:

• 4 operational aircraft – investment of 400 million dollars
• 43 lines, 20 of them new
• Traffic growth to 4 million passengers/year (+50%)
• Support for over 3,000 jobs in Albania
• The best selection of low-cost flights for citizens and visitors

Over the next 5 years, Ryanair will continue to invest in Albania, to bring the number of B737 aircraft based in Tirana to 6 (investment of 600 million dollars), growing to over 6 million passengers per year, operating over 60 routes, supporting over 4,000 jobs by 2030 and continuing the successful cooperation with Tirana Airport and the Albanian government regarding infrastructure and airport taxes.

To celebrate the 4th aircraft and 20 new routes to/from Tirana for the summer of 2026, Ryanair has launched a 3-day offer with 100,000 tickets on sale starting from €29.99, available for booking from today via the Ryanair app.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary stated:

“As the only low-cost airline in Albania, Ryanair is pleased to announce the 4th aircraft based in Tirana for S26, which will expand Ryanair’s market share in Albania by 43 routes by Summer 2026, including 20 new routes to destinations such as Alghero, Baden-Baden, Eindhoven, Genoa, Memmingen, Parma and Wroclaw. This record investment of $400 million and a record 50% increase in traffic to 4 million passengers for Tirana, is a direct result of Albania’s proactive policy of removing travel taxes and lower airport costs, enabled by successful growth incentive schemes.”

20 new lines Summer 2026:

Alghero
Genoa
Pescara
Baden-Baden
Liverpool
Poznan
Birmingham
Malta
Trieste
Bratislava
Memmingen
Turin
Dublin
Milan (M)
Verona
Eindhoven
Napoli
Wroclaw
Gdansk
Parma

Ryanair’s record growth in Tirana for 2026 offers Albania a unique opportunity to return to the fastest growing air traffic and tourism market in Europe. Ryanair plans to grow to over 6 million passengers per year and expand its base to up to 6 aircraft in Tirana with an investment of $600 million by 2030, offering over 60 low-fare routes, so that Albania can continue its zero aviation tax policy and Tirana can maintain its current low access costs through growth incentive schemes.

The Chief Operations Officer of Tirana International Airport, Mr. Piervittorio Farabbi, said:

“The expansion of Ryanair’s base in Tirana is a strong testament to our partnership and our shared ambition for sustainable growth. By combining Ryanair’s network and experience with the rapidly growing capacities of Tirana International Airport, driven by Kastrati Group’s strategic investments in infrastructure, technology and operational excellence, we are creating new opportunities for tourism, business and economic development across Albania and the region.”