First Direct Flight from Barcelona to Tirana Operated by Vueling Airlines Marks a New Chapter in Albania-Spain Tourism and Economic Ties.

On July 2, 2025, Vueling Airlines, part of the prestigious International Airlines Group (IAG), launched its first direct flight from Barcelona to Tirana, marking a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity between Albania and Spain.

The flight landed at Tirana International Airport “Mother Teresa” at 9:40 PM, where it was welcomed with a special reception ceremony attended by Ms. Zana Cela, Director of the National Tourism Agency of Albania, and Mr. Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer of TIA.

Ms. Cela emphasized the importance of the new route in promoting Albania as a tourist destination and strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries:

“The National Tourism Agency supports every initiative that contributes to promoting Albania as a tourist destination. This new route will not only strengthen tourism and cultural ties with Spain but also boost broader economic development. The increasing number of direct air connections and the continuous improvement of infrastructure are turning Albania into one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the region and beyond.”

Mr. Farabbi highlighted the growing international interest in Albania:

“This new flight shows that interest in coming to Tirana and Albania is not slowing down. We hope it will bring more Spanish visitors to our coastline, while also giving Albanians the opportunity to explore new destinations in Europe and beyond. It’s important to stress that new routes continue to be added, and passengers are eager to visit Albania. We are making that possible.”

Vueling Airlines will operate four direct flights per week between Barcelona and Tirana.

This development follows key meetings held earlier this year at the International Tourism Fair FITUR in Madrid, where Albania’s National Tourism Agency engaged with international partners, including representatives from IAG, to discuss launching direct flights from Barcelona to Tirana.

In 2024 alone, Albania welcomed over 109,000 tourists from Spain, a significant increase compared to the previous year. The new direct route is expected to further contribute to positioning Albania as an accessible and attractive destination for international travelers.