Tirana International Airport (TIA), in cooperation with Wizz Air, inaugurated the new direct Tirana–Palermo route, adding another Italian destination to its flight network from Tirana. The new route will operate twice weekly, every Tuesday and Saturday, offering passengers more travel opportunities to Sicily, one of Italy's most renowned regions. To mark the inauguration of the new route, a welcoming ceremony was held at Tirana International Airport, attended by representatives of TIA, a delegation from Palermo Airport, the Albanian National Tourism Agency, and Wizz Air.

Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer at Tirana International Airport, stated:

"Italy remains a key market for Tirana International Airport (TIA), and the launch of the Tirana–Palermo route further strengthens air connectivity between our two countries, with now 22 Italian airports linked with TIA.

Palermo is not only a city so rich in history and art to host 7 UNESCO sites, but the route connects to yet other thriving Arbresh communities in Western Sicily.

Supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure and operational capacity, we continue to expand our network while ensuring efficient airport operations and a seamless passenger experience. 

Together with Wizz Air, we remain committed to creating new travel opportunities and strengthening TIA’s role as a strategic gateway to Albania and the wider region.”

Vera Jardan, Corporate Communications Manager at Wizz Air, stated:

“We are delighted to celebrate the inaugural flight of our new route connecting Tirana and Palermo, further strengthening the ties between Albania and Italy. Italy remains one of the most important markets in our Tirana network, and this new connection reflects our continued commitment to expanding affordable travel opportunities for our Albanian passengers. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board this exciting new route. Let’s WIZZ”

Gianfranco Battisti, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GESAP, stated:

“The launch of the direct flight connection between Palermo and Tirana marks another significant step forward in the international development strategy of Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport.

This is not simply a new route, but a strategic air link that strengthens economic, tourism and cultural ties between Sicily and Albania. Wizz Air’s investment further demonstrates the attractiveness of Palermo Airport and the strength of the growth strategy we are pursuing alongside our airline and industry partners.

Our goal is to continue expanding high-quality air connections to markets with strong growth potential, improving Sicily’s international accessibility while fostering sustainable, competitive growth and creating long-term value for the local economy and the wider region”.

The launch of the Tirana–Palermo route marks another step in the expansion of Tirana International Airport's destination network and the strengthening of its cooperation with airline partners. This new connection creates additional opportunities for Albanian travelers wishing to explore Sicily, while also making Albania more accessible to Italian visitors choosing the country as a tourist destination.