One of Europe’s emerging “it” destinations now has direct service from Canada courtesy of Transat, which officially inaugurated its new non-stop service between Toronto and Tirana late last week. The first flight (TS422) marked the launch of the first air link between Canada and Albania.
“As the first and only airline offering a non-stop flight between North America and Tirana, we’re incredibly proud to introduce our award-winning service on this unique route,” declared Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat. “Albania is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most compelling destinations, combining outstanding affordability with a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and authentic experiences. This route strengthens our presence in a high-potential region. It reflects our focus on developing targeted, high-value routes that enhance connectivity while reinforcing our position across the transatlantic network.”
Flights will operate weekly, every Thursday, through Oct. 8 as part of Air Transat’s Summer 2026 program, which features eight new routes, selective annualization of services, and frequency increases on several existing destinations.
“Air Transat’s new nonstop service to Tirana is a great addition to Toronto Pearson’s growing international network,” said Kurush Minocher, CCO at Toronto Pearson. “More than 36,000 passengers travelled between Toronto and Tirana last year, underscoring the strong demand for a nonstop connection. This new service creates the first direct link between Canada and Albania, while making it easier for travellers to access destinations across the Western Balkans.”
The route is operated with the Airbus A330-200, a modern wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul comfort
“The launch of Air Transat’s direct service between Toronto and Tirana marks a defining moment for Albania’s connectivity,” noted Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza. “This first-ever long-haul flight from TIA opens a strategic gateway to North America, bringing Albania closer to one of its most important diaspora communities while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment. This milestone reflects the growing international appeal of Albania and the strong confidence that global airline partners place in our market. We are proud to partner with Air Transat on this historic route and look forward to supporting its continued success.”
More inaugurals
Additional, Transat’s Montreal (YUL) to Dakar (DSS) route was inaugurated June 17 with flight TS722. It will be operated up to twice weekly until Oct. 18 and service between Montreal (YUL) and Reykjavík (KEF) was inaugurated on June 16 (TS772) and will be offered up to twice weekly until Sept. 20, 2026.
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