Tirana, 18 December 2025 – Tirana International Airport (TIA) and Air Transat are pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever nonstop direct route between Tirana and Toronto, marking a historic milestone for Albanian aviation. This service represents the first transoceanic flight from TIA and the first direct air connection between Albania and the North Atlantic region.

The inaugural flight from TIA will take place on 19 June 2026, with operations continuing throughout the summer season until 9 October 2026, at a weekly frequency.

The new air service responds to the growing demand for direct flights not only between Albania but also the wider region and Canada. It is estimated that around 60,000 passengers travel annually on this corridor, mainly for tourism, family visits, and diaspora-related travel.

Canada is home to a substantial Albanian and regional diaspora community that has long sought direct air connectivity with Albania. The Tirana–Toronto route significantly simplifies the journey, making travel faster and more convenient for passengers.

The route is also expected to positively impact tourism development, business activity, and cultural exchange, as Tirana continues to strengthen its role as a regional air hub.

The opening of this destination is the result of close and effective cooperation between Tirana International Airport and Air Transat, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding air connectivity and responding to market demand with reliable, high-quality air services. The support of the Albanian Government and the coordinated efforts of state authorities were decisive in finalizing the air services agreement between Albania and Canada in record time.

The launch of the Tirana–Toronto route has also been made possible thanks to Kastrati Group’s continuous investments in modernizing Tirana International Airport, which have ensured the necessary infrastructure and operational capacity to support this intercontinental destination.

Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operations Officer of Tirana International Airport, stated:

“Launching the Tirana–Toronto route with Air Transat is a major achievement for TIA and for Albania. This is our first transoceanic service and our first direct connection with North America. We congratulate Air Transat for their trust and thank all teams and stakeholders for the excellent cooperation. Together, we are opening new horizons for passengers, tourism, and economic ties between Albania, the region, and Canada.”

“We are proud to become the first airline to offer nonstop service between North America and Albania,” said Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat. “This route will support tourism growth in Albania and the Balkans, while offering passengers in the region easier access to Canada and further connections across North America through our network and our partnership with Porter Airlines.”

The Tirana–Toronto route further strengthens TIA’s expanding network and underscores the airport’s strategic focus on long-term growth, improved connectivity, and the development of Tirana as a key aviation hub for the region.

About Air Transat

Founded in Montreal in 1987, Air Transat is a leading airline, voted the World’s Best Leisure Airline 2025 by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. Its program provides access to international destinations, primarily in Europe, the Caribbean, the U.S. East Coast, South America, and North Africa. Known for its excellent customer service, Air Transat operates a fleet that includes some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in its category. Headquartered in Montreal with major bases at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), the airline has approximately 5,000 employees united by a common mission: bringing people together. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ).

www.airtransat.com