Tirana International Airport (TIA) and Ryanair today inaugurated the first direct flight between Tirana and Parma, further expanding the network of European destinations and strengthening air connections between Albania and Italy. The inaugural flight was marked with a special ceremony at Tirana International Airport, in the presence of TIA and Ryanair representatives as well as passengers of the first flight.
The new Tirana-Parma route is part of the continued expansion of Ryanair's operations in Albania, following the opening of the company's base in Tirana in April 2026. The new destination adds to the growing network of direct flights connecting Albania with major European cities.
Italy remains the main destination for Albania, representing over 40% of the country's international traffic. In this context, Ryanair continues to play an important role in expanding direct connections between the two countries, offering more travel alternatives for passengers and supporting the development of tourism, business and economic exchanges.
The opening of the new route reflects the continued growth of Tirana International Airport and the growing demand for direct connections to key European markets. Ryanair’s investment in its Tirana base, with four grounded aircraft and a significant number of new destinations for the 2026 summer season, further strengthens TIA’s position as one of the most dynamically developing airports in the region.
At the end of the ceremony, Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Tirana International Airport, said:
“The launch of the Tirana-Parma route represents another important step in expanding Albania’s connections with Europe. Italy remains one of the most important destinations for Albanian passengers and the continued expansion of Ryanair’s network at TIA creates more opportunities for tourism and economic exchange between our countries.”
While Michele Bufo, CEO of Parma Airport, added:
"The launch of Ryanair's new route to Tirana represents an important step in the development strategy of Parma Airport, strengthening its role as a gateway to one of the most dynamic and economically competitive regions of Northern Italy. This route is in line with the strategy of the Emilia-Romagna Region to strengthen international air connections and responds to the increasingly strong economic, cultural and tourist relations between Italy and Albania. It creates new opportunities for mobility, business development and regional growth."
Ryanair’s investment in its Tirana base continues to expand, with the airline today deploying its fourth aircraft based at Tirana International Airport, a significant development that will support the addition of new destinations. With four aircraft based and a significant number of destinations for the 2026 summer season, Ryanair further strengthens TIA’s position as one of the fastest growing airports in the region.
Tirana International Airport remains committed to expanding its destination network through strong partnerships with airlines, continuously improving air connections and creating new travel opportunities for passengers in Albania and the region.
