Airlines flying to and from Tirana International Airport with comprehensive list of carriers and destinations

Tirana International Airport hosts over 35 airlines connecting Albania with more than 95 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The airport serves as a hub for Wizz Air and Air Albania, while numerous European carriers provide regular scheduled services alongside seasonal operators expanding capacity during summer months. This comprehensive network transforms Tirana into a well-connected aviation gateway serving Albania's growing tourism industry and diaspora communities worldwide.

Major Airlines Operating at TIA

Wizz Air

Wizz Air dominates Tirana Airport operations as the largest carrier by passenger volume. The Hungarian low-cost airline operates over 40 routes from TIA, making it the backbone of Albania's international connectivity. Destinations span Central Europe, Western Europe, and Scandinavia with particular strength in markets serving Albanian diaspora communities.

Aircraft stationed overnight at Tirana enable early morning departures maximizing daily utilization. Wizz Air's business model focuses on high frequency, low fares, and point-to-point routes rather than traditional hub operations. The airline expanded aggressively at TIA during recent years as Albanian tourism grew and travel restrictions from communist-era isolation lifted entirely.

Website: wizzair.com
Key Destinations: Milan, Vienna, Bologna, Budapest, London, Dortmund

Ryanair

Ryanair announced a permanent base at Tirana Airport launching April 2026. Three Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be stationed here, operating 10 new routes alongside increased frequencies on existing services. The Irish low-cost giant entered the Albanian market relatively recently in November 2023 but growth exceeded projections, prompting the base establishment.

New destinations include Birmingham, Dublin, Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznan, Trieste, Turin, and Verona. Existing routes to cities like Bari, London, Prague, Stockholm, and Warsaw will see frequency increases. Ryanair projects carrying over 4 million passengers through Tirana during 2026.

Website: ryanair.com
Key Destinations: London, Milan, Rome, Dublin, Barcelona, Manchester

Air Albania

Air Albania operates as Albania's flag carrier, representing the country's aviation identity internationally. The airline launched operations in 2018 and maintains its hub at Tirana Airport. Routes focus on major European cities with business and leisure demand for Albanian connections.

As the national carrier, Air Albania receives priority for slot allocation and benefits from government support promoting Albanian aviation industry development. The airline targets premium passengers alongside budget travelers, offering product differentiation versus dominant low-cost competition.

Website: airalbania.com.al
Key Destinations: London, Istanbul, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt

Full-Service European Carriers

Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines connect Tirana with their respective hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich. These Star Alliance carriers provide onward connections to global networks through major European hubs.

Lufthansa: lufthansa.com - Frankfurt, Munich
Austrian: austrian.com - Vienna
Swiss: swiss.com - Zurich

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines operates multiple daily flights between Tirana and Istanbul, connecting Albania with Turkey's massive global network. Istanbul Airport serves as a major intercontinental hub linking Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Albanian passengers frequently use Turkish Airlines for travel to Middle Eastern, Asian, and African destinations lacking direct European connections.

Website: turkishairlines.com
Hub: Istanbul

British Airways

British Airways connects Tirana with London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports. Services cater to both business travelers and Albanian diaspora communities in the UK. Oneworld alliance membership provides connections through London to British Airways' global network.

Website: britishairways.com
Destinations: London Heathrow, London Gatwick

Air France

Air France provides service to Paris Charles de Gaulle, connecting Albania with the SkyTeam alliance hub. Recent route announcement expands French connectivity from Tirana, complementing existing low-cost carrier services to secondary French airports.

Website: airfrance.com
Destination: Paris CDG

ITA Airways

ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) operates extensive Italian connections given historical ties between Albania and Italy. Multiple daily flights serve Rome and Milan, while seasonal services expand to other Italian cities during summer peak season. Italy remains the top destination from Tirana by passenger volume.

Website: ita-airways.com
Key Destinations: Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna

Low-Cost and Regional Carriers

Middle Eastern Carriers

Flydubai

Flydubai connects Tirana with Dubai, providing Albanian travelers access to Emirates' global network through codeshare agreements. The route serves both business travelers and tourists, with Dubai serving as a popular destination itself alongside transit hub function.

Website: flydubai.com
Destination: Dubai

Flynas

Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas operates services connecting Tirana with Middle Eastern destinations, serving Albanian workers in Gulf countries and tourists from wealthier Middle Eastern nations discovering Albanian beaches and mountains.

Website: flynas.com
Destination: Jeddah, Riyadh

Booking and Contact Information

Airlines provide detailed booking, baggage allowances, and customer service through their official websites. For check-in counter locations and gate assignments, check airport departure boards or your airline's mobile app.

Airport Information: (+355) 4 238 1800

Seasonal Carriers

Summer months bring seasonal operators expanding capacity as Albanian tourism peaks. Charter airlines transport holiday packages from northern European markets, while scheduled carriers increase frequencies on existing routes.

Seasonal services typically operate June through September when Mediterranean weather attracts beach tourists to the Albanian Riviera. Demand drops significantly during winter months, causing many seasonal routes to suspend until the following summer.

Alliance Membership

Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld carriers all serve Tirana Airport, providing alliance benefits like lounge access, through-check-in for connecting flights, and frequent flyer mileage earning across partner airlines.

Star Alliance

Lufthansa Group carriers (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss), LOT Polish Airlines, and others provide Star Alliance connectivity through European hubs.

SkyTeam

Air France and other SkyTeam members connect through Paris and Amsterdam to the alliance's global network.

Oneworld

British Airways represents Oneworld at Tirana, offering alliance benefits and connections through London.

Check-In and Baggage

Each airline maintains different baggage allowances, check-in procedures, and fare rules. Review your specific carrier's policies before traveling. Low-cost airlines typically charge for checked bags and enforce strict carry-on limits, while full-service carriers include baggage in ticket prices.

Online check-in opens 24-48 hours before departure for most airlines. Use airline websites or mobile apps to check in remotely, select seats, and obtain boarding passes. This saves time at the airport and sometimes avoids fees charged for airport check-in with budget carriers.

Check-in counters at Tirana typically open 3 hours before departure for international flights and close 40-60 minutes before scheduled takeoff. Arrive early during summer peak season when queues stretch longer. More details appear on our baggage regulations page.

Airline Tips

  • Book directly with airlines for best customer service
  • Check baggage policies before packing
  • Use online check-in when available
  • Join frequent flyer programs for benefits
  • Compare prices across carriers for best fares
  • Understand difference between budget and full-service airlines
  • Keep airline contact info for flight issues
  • Know your passenger rights for delays

Flight Schedules

Approximately 120 flights operate daily at Tirana Airport during peak summer season, with roughly 60 departures and 60 arrivals. Off-peak winter schedules thin to 70-80 daily flights as seasonal services suspend and frequencies reduce on year-round routes.

Most European flights operate during daytime hours, with morning departure banks around 6-9 AM and afternoon departures peaking 1-4 PM. Evening flights accommodate business travelers returning home. Turkish Airlines and Middle Eastern carriers often schedule overnight or late evening departures.

Check real-time flight status on our departures and arrivals pages or airline websites before heading to the airport.

Future Expansion

Airline networks at Tirana continue expanding as Albanian tourism grows and diaspora travel increases. New routes announced regularly, particularly from low-cost carriers seeking growth markets. Ryanair's base establishment signals confidence in Albanian aviation's trajectory.

Long-haul service remains absent currently, though runway extension plans aim to enable transatlantic flights. Direct service to New York would transform connectivity for Albanian-American communities currently requiring European connections. Whether airlines commit to these routes depends on demonstrating sufficient demand justifying wide-body aircraft economics.