Growing competition between Wizz Air and Ryanair: over thirty new routes to be launched from Albania

Low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air have announced the launch of new routes from Albania, with competition between the two airlines expected to grow in the Balkan country in the coming months.

Ryanair, known for popularising the low-cost model in Europe, has in recent years begun a process of expansion to the east of the continent. Wizz Air, which is one of the largest operators in the region, has grown in Western European markets, mainly by catering to demand from passengers visiting friends and family (VFR).

The two companies confirmed this week their scheduling of services in Albania for the coming northern winter.

New Wizz Air routes from Albania

Wizz Air had announced a first expansion of its network from Albania, including three new routes, last May. This week, it confirmed the launch of ten more. Eleven aircraft will be based at Tirana’s Mother Teresa International Airport (TIA).

Compared to the same season last year, it will offer more than a hundred additional weekly flights next winter.

New destinations from Tirana’s Mother Teresa International Airport (TIA):

Birmingham (BHX): two flights a week (Thursdays and Sundays). Starts on 21 December.
Bremen (BRE): three flights a week. Starts on 19 December.
Edinburgh (EDI): four flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays). Starts on 18 December.
Chania (CHQ): three flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). Starts on 25 March 2024.
Liverpool (LPL): three flights a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). Starts on 19 December.
Bucharest (OTP): five flights a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays). Starts on 29 October.
Malta (MLA): two flights a week (Mondays and Fridays). Starts on 25 March 2024.
Sofia (SOF): three flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). Starts on 18 December.
Prague (PRG): four flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays). Starts on 18 December.
Krakow (KRK): five flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays). Starts on 18 December.
Palermo (PMO): three flights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). Starts on 25 March 2024.
Thessaloniki (SKG): three flights a week. Starts on 14 August.
Valencia (VLC): three flights a week. Starts on 19 December.

New Ryanair routes from Albania

For its parte, the Irish airline confirmed its entry into the Albanian market. On the same day that Wizz Air presented preliminary financial results and its outlook for the coming year, Ryanair announced 17 new routes from Tirana, which will be available from 31 October.

New destinations from Tirana’s Mother Teresa International Airport (TIA):

Charleroi (CRL): one daily flight. Starts on 31 October.
Bergamo-Orio al Serio (BGY): two daily flights. Starts on 31 October.
Bologna (BLQ): one daily flight. Starts on 31 October.
Bucharest (OTP): flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Starts on 31 October.
Catania (CTA): one daily flight. Starts on 31 October.
Krakow (KRK): flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Starts on 31 October.
Edinburgh (EDI): flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
London-Stansted (STN): two daily flights. Starts on 31 October.
Manchester (MAN): flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
Paris-Beauvais (BVA): flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
Pisa (PSA): one daily flight. Starts on 31 October.
Prague (PRG): flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
Rome-Ciampino (CIA): frequency of nine flights a week; two flights on Fridays and Sundays. Starts on 31 October.
Treviso (TSF): one daily flight. Starts on 31 October.
Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN): flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
Warsaw (WAW): flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Starts on 31 October.
Weeze (NRN): flights on Wednesdays and Sundays. Starts on 1 November.