Turkish Airlines Relaunches Istanbul–Tirana Services as Daily Flights Strengthen Balkan Connectivity

Turkish Airlines has relaunched daily scheduled flights between Istanbul and Tirana, Albania, with the service resuming on January 26, restoring direct air connectivity between Türkiye’s major global hub and the Albanian capital after a multi‑year suspension.

The reinstated Istanbul–Tirana route will operate seven weekly frequencies, with flights departing from Istanbul Airport and connecting directly to Tirana International Airport, enabling passengers to access Turkish Airlines’ broad global network via seamless transfers. The relaunch marks a strategic effort to strengthen the carrier’s presence in the Western Balkans and support bilateral travel demand, trade and tourism flows.

The service, reintroduced after a prolonged hiatus, follows the closure of Albania’s former carrier Air Albania in late 2025, which had previously operated connections to Türkiye. Turkish Airlines’ decision to restore direct connectivity reflects both a network optimisation strategy and an opportunity to capture demand on a key regional corridor where demand trends show upward mobility in business and leisure segments.

Industry analysts view the Tirana relaunch as part of a broader expansion of Turkish Airlines’ European footprint. The carrier, leveraging Istanbul Airport’s role as a major intercontinental hub, is strategically positioning itself to enhance net connectivity across secondary and tertiary markets in Southeast Europe, a region where airline connectivity has lagged behind core Western European corridors.

Daily flights between Istanbul and Tirana will be operated with narrow‑body Boeing 737‑series aircraft, suitable for short‑ to medium‑haul operations and operationally efficient on high‑frequency routes. The restoration of the service also positions Tirana as an accessible link to Turkish Airlines’ onward network, triggering potential inbound tourism growth and simplifying outbound travel for Albanian passengers seeking global connections.

For Albanian tourism stakeholders, the return of direct Turkish Airlines services is expected to support inbound arrivals at a time when the wider Balkan region is experiencing uplift in leisure travel demand. The connectivity boost may also strengthen business travel linkages, particularly around Istanbul’s position as a business and commercial hub bridging Europe and Asia.

The route’s relaunch dovetails with the broader trend of airline network recovery across Europe following pandemic‑era contractions, as carriers recalibrate schedules in response to evolving travel patterns. Turkish Airlines’ emphasis on daily operations underlines confidence in consistent demand, despite the competitive dynamics posed by low‑cost carriers expanding in the same markets.

Turkish Airlines has communicated the reintroduction of the Tirana service as part of its ongoing network optimisation strategy for 2026, aligning with additional expansions to destinations in Africa and the Caucasus. The carrier’s broader objectives include reinforcing connectivity between Türkiye and emerging markets while deepening service value for travellers through increased frequency and seamless transfer options.

Market observers note that direct daily connections between major hubs and secondary capitals can stimulate economic activity beyond aviation, influencing logistics, tourism services, commercial exchanges and bilateral business ties. Turkish Airlines’ relaunch of its Tirana link thus represents a notable step in reinforcing air connectivity and supporting Albania’s integration into broader global travel networks.