Wizz Air Plans Up to 6 More Aircraft for Tirana Base as Albania Traffic Grows

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is considering adding five to six more aircraft to its fleet based in Tirana over the next four years, as the company anticipates accelerated growth in passenger numbers in Albania.

 

The airline currently has around 14 to 15 aircraft stationed in Tirana. Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the company is considering further expansion as it continues to increase its presence in the Albanian market.

“We would consider bringing another five to six aircraft, in addition to the 14–15 we currently have. So, we remain on a growth trajectory in terms of our presence in Albania,” Váradi told local media.

The airline is also considering developing specialized infrastructure for aircraft maintenance, which could support a larger fleet operating from Tirana in the coming years.

Wizz Air Wants to Train Albanian Pilots

Váradi also highlighted the company's interest in increasing the number of locally trained pilots.

“We want to have as many local pilots as possible. We would be very interested in having Albanians enter this profession and training them. Pilot training is therefore one of the areas where we will continue to invest,” he said.

The move could create additional opportunities for Albanian aviation professionals as Wizz Air expands its operations and potentially increases the number of aircraft permanently based at Tirana International Airport.

Wizz Air's Expansion in Albania

Wizz Air began operating at Tirana International Airport in 2017 and established its Tirana base in 2020, initially with three aircraft.

Since then, the airline has significantly expanded its presence in the Albanian capital and has become a major carrier at the airport.

According to data from Tirana International Airport (TIA), Wizz Air accounted for approximately 54% of the airport's total passenger traffic in 2025, when the airport handled around 11.6 million passengers.

If the additional aircraft are ultimately based in Tirana, Wizz Air's fleet at the Albanian airport could reach approximately 19 to 21 aircraft over the next four years.

The planned expansion would further strengthen Tirana's role in Wizz Air's regional network, while the potential investment in maintenance infrastructure and local pilot training could also increase the airline's longer-term operational footprint in Albania.