At least 500,000 Albanian citizens reside in Italy, making it a prime market for air travel, especially when considering their family members. According to Eurostat residence permit data over the years, the Albanian diaspora in Italy represents a significant share of air traffic between the two countries.
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| Main city destinations by number of passengers per thousand, source: TIA, processed by Monitor |
Italy Dominates Albanian Air Traffic
In 2024, Italy remained the country with the highest air traffic to and from Albania. According to Tirana International Airport (TIA), 43% of passengers, or approximately 4.5 million travelers, flew between Tirana and Italian cities.
This marks a 43% increase compared to the previous year. Flights from Tirana covered 24 Italian destinations, including Bergamo, Rome, Bologna, Treviso, Pisa, Milan, Bari, Catania, Verona, Turin, Genoa, Ancona, Perugia, Pescara, Rimini, Naples, Brindisi, Trieste, Reggio Calabria, Comiso, Lamezia Terme, Salerno, Venice, and Florence.
Germany Holds Second Place
Germany remained the second most significant destination for Albanian air travel, accounting for 10.6% of passenger movements. In 2024, 1.17 million passengers traveled between Albania and Germany, marking a 23% increase from the previous year.
Tirana International Airport operates flights to 13 German cities, with Frankfurt leading in passenger volume, followed by Dortmund, Memmingen, Berlin, and Hamburg.
The UK Sees Rapid Growth
The United Kingdom, particularly London, has become one of the fastest-growing destinations for Albanian air travelers. The introduction of low-cost carriers like Wizz Air initially boosted traffic, and Ryanair's entry in 2024 further accelerated growth.
Passenger numbers between Albania and the UK surged by 62% in 2024, reaching nearly 1 million and accounting for 9% of the total air traffic. London alone attracted 83% of these travelers.
Turkey and Poland Follow Closely
Turkey secured fourth place, contributing 5.2% of all air travel to and from Albania. Traffic to Turkey increased by 35% year-on-year, with Istanbul dominating at 72% of the total Turkish travel market. Antalya remained a popular holiday destination, attracting about 100,000 passengers.
Poland ranked fifth, driven by a growing interest in Albania as a vacation spot among Polish citizens. In 2024, 520,000 passengers traveled between Albania and Poland, representing a 57% increase from the previous year. Tirana International Airport offers flights to eight Polish cities, with Warsaw leading at 40% of total traffic, followed by Kraków at 20%.
France Experiences a Surge in Traffic
France also recorded significant growth in air travel, with 490,000 passengers flying between the two countries—more than double the number from 2023. The introduction of Ryanair flights on this route contributed significantly to this increase. Paris accounted for 70% of all French-Albanian air traffic.
Milan and London: The Top Two Destinations
Milan, accessible via Malpensa and Bergamo airports, remained the most popular flight destination for Albanians. In 2024, a record-breaking 1.07 million passengers flew between Tirana and Milan, a 45% annual increase. Bergamo Airport played a crucial role, handling nearly 700,000 of these travelers.
The availability of more options due to Ryanair’s entry into the market has further boosted travel demand to Milan, drawing not just Albanian emigrants and their families but also a growing number of Italian tourists visiting Albania.
According to Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Italian citizens were the second-largest group of visitors to Albania in 2024, accounting for 11% of total arrivals, or over 1.25 million travelers, following Kosovo’s lead.
London ranked as the second most popular destination from Tirana International Airport, comprising 8% of total passenger traffic. Around 840,000 passengers traveled between Albania and the UK in 2024, reflecting a 44% year-over-year increase. Various airlines serve London airports, making it an increasingly accessible and affordable destination for Albanian travelers.
Other Key European Destinations
- Bologna overtook Pisa as the fourth most popular destination, with 476,000 passengers.
- Treviso saw 440,000 passengers in 2024.
- Pisa dropped to sixth place with 426,000 travelers.
- Istanbul recorded 408,000 passengers, up 27% from the previous year.
- Vienna experienced a 64% increase in air traffic, with nearly 400,000 passengers. The presence of Austrian Airlines, Wizz Air, and Ryanair has made Vienna a more accessible destination for Albanian tourists.
Conclusion
The Albanian air travel market is experiencing unprecedented growth, particularly with Italy, Germany, and the UK leading the way. The introduction of low-cost carriers has significantly expanded travel opportunities, making air travel more affordable and accessible than ever. With increasing connections and growing passenger numbers, Tirana International Airport continues to solidify its role as a key travel hub in the Balkans.