4th aircraft added to the base

$400 million investment

20 new routes

50% growth for 2026 (Summer 2026)

Ryanair, Albania’s low-cost airline, announced today (Tuesday, 20 January) that it will add a fourth B737-800 aircraft to its Tirana base from April 2026 (a $400 million investment) 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 (a total of 43 routes). This expansion will create opportunities for over 3,000 new jobs and 120 high-paying positions for Ryanair pilots and cabin crew in Tirana.

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

Ryanair’s Summer 2026 programme for Tirana will offer:

• 4 based aircraft – $400 million investment
• 43 routes, 20 of which are new
• Traffic growth to 4 million passengers per year (+50%)
• Support for over 3,000 jobs in Albania
• The best choice of low-fare flights for citizens and visitors

Over the next 5 years, Ryanair will continue to invest in Albania, increasing the number of B737 aircraft based in Tirana to 6 (a $600 million investment), growing to over 6 million passengers per year, operating more than 60 routes, supporting over 4,000 jobs by 2030, and continuing its successful partnership with Tirana Airport and the Albanian government on infrastructure and airport charges.

To celebrate the 4th aircraft and the 20 new routes to/from Tirana for Summer 2026, Ryanair has launched a 3-day sale with 100,000 seats available from €29.99, bookable from today via the Ryanair app.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said:

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

The 20 new Summer 2026 routes:

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

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

Tirana International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Piervittorio Farabbi, said:

“The expansion of Ryanair’s base in Tirana is strong evidence of our partnership and our shared ambition for sustainable growth. By combining Ryanair’s network and expertise with the rapidly expanding capacities of Tirana International Airport, driven by the 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.”

For further information:

Ryanair Press Office

Tel: +353-1-9451799

Email: [email protected]