Ryanair has announced plans to launch 17 new routes to Tirana this winter.
The low-cost carrier will offer a total of 200 weekly flights to and from the Albania capital, with new routes from the UK, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
Edinburgh will benefit from four weekly flights, with Manchester gaining six weekly services and London Stansted seeing 28 weekly flights from the end of October.
Elsewhere there will be 28 weekly flights to and from Milan Bergamo, 18 to and from Rome Ciampino, 14 weekly services each to and from Brussels Charleroi, Catania, Pisa and Venice Treviso, and ten to and from Paris Beauvais.
Wizz Air is also set to launch flights between Edinburgh and Tirana later this year, and there are several carriers already serving the city from London – Air Albania and Albawings from Stansted, British Airways from Heathrow, easyJet from Gatwick and Wizz Air from Luton.
Ryanair said that the launch routes “are only the beginning of what Ryanair can do to support the Albanian Government in delivering transformational growth within the tourism industry”, with the carrier’s CEO Eddie Wilson stating:
“As Europe’s largest airline, we are delighted to announce 200 weekly Ryanair flights to/from Albania starting from Winter ’23.
“These initial 17 new routes will grant immediate access to key inbound tourism markets such as, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania Sweden, and the UK whilst also providing competitive fares and increased connectivity for Albanians who want to visit home, or friends and family abroad.
“We have worked closely with our partners here at Tirana Airport to launch these 17 new routes and hope to strengthen the relationship over time as we work together to drive inbound tourism and connectivity to Albania.
“These routes will allow millions of visitors from major cities across Europe to experience the wonders of Albania, from the white sand beaches of the Albania Riviera to the historical architecture of Unesco site Gjirokastër, and lively nightlife in Tirana.”
