New Wizz Air routes: Tirana direct from Palma for the first time

New Wizz Air routes: Tirana direct from Palma for the first time

From June the Hungarian low-cost carrier will fly nonstop to Tirana for the first time – and otherwise expands its route network from Mallorca

Early in the morning on the way to the airport you can hear the familiar roll of suitcase wheels on the tarmac, a coffee steaming in hand, taxi drivers waving at the stop: The good news this week concerns exactly these travelers. The Hungarian airline Wizz Air is expanding its offering from Palma de Mallorca and from June 23 will introduce a direct connection to the Albanian capital Tirana for the first time. Two flights per week are planned.

This is a real novelty for the island: Until now there has been no direct air link from Palma to Tirana. For residents of Mallorca as well as travelers from the island this means a new, often cheaper connection to Southeastern Europe – convenient for family visits, business trips and cultural excursions.

In addition to Tirana, Wizz Air is launching further routes from Palma: From March 30 there will be twice-weekly flights to Gdansk, from May 13 three times a week to Naples, and from May 11 services to Milan‑Malpensa will be offered (seven flights from Palma).

Wizz Air is headquartered in Budapest and is an established player in Central and Eastern Europe: with around 32 bases in various countries and over 227 aircraft, the airline is one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers. The company began operations in 2004; its first commercial flight was on May 19, 2004 from Katowice to London‑Luton.

Why this is positive for Mallorca can be seen in several everyday details: More direct connections mean fewer transfers, shorter travel times and often cheaper tickets. That makes the island more attractive to visitors discovering new destinations from Palma, and to locals who welcome improved connections. At the Celler de la Trobada on the way to the terminal travelers are already talking about the new destinations, and at the BTM bus stop you can see more passengers holding boarding passes to more exotic destinations.

Of course, the expansion of the flight schedule also brings requirements: the airport, transport links and accommodation offerings must grow accordingly, and travelers should inform themselves early about schedules and baggage rules. A practical tip: those who want to avoid peak times at check-in should plan their arrival with the TIB bus or the Tren de Llevant; the airport car parks fill up quickly on sunny weekends. Local coverage has also reported other carrier additions, for example New Etihad Route Abu Dhabi–Palma: Comfort for Guests, a Challenge for the Island, Etihad brings Abu Dhabi nonstop to Palma - from June 2026 and Direct from Montreal: Air Canada connects Palma four times a week.

For local businesses the additional connection to Tirana can open up new opportunities. Restaurants, car rental companies and small hoteliers benefit when a more diverse range of guests visit the island. At the same time, tourist use can be spread out over time if connections are offered at off-peak times.

A brief outlook: If demand remains stable, connecting flights or seasonal frequency increases are conceivable. For the island this would be an opportunity to better distribute visitor flows and to open up new markets. Anyone looking for a different capital will find in Tirana a rising metropolis with its own atmosphere – from the cafés at Skanderbeg Square to the hills overlooking the city.

More choice in the air does not automatically mean more stress on the ground. If airport teams, transport operators and hosts plan together, the new route can become a gain for the island – for travelers, retailers and those who grab their coffee every morning on Passeig Mallorca.

Quick facts: Tirana: Direct flights from Palma from June 23, two flights per week. Gdansk: from March 30, twice weekly. Naples: from May 13, three times weekly. Milan‑Malpensa: from May 11, seven flights from Palma. Wizz Air: headquartered in Budapest, around 32 bases, over 227 aircraft; first commercial flights in 2004.