British holidaymakers now have a cheaper way to visit one of Europe’s emerging hotspots, as budget airline Wizz Air announces a new route from London Gatwick to Albania’s capital, Tirana.
Nicknamed the 'Maldives of Europe' for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, Albania has become a fast-growing destination for UK travellers. Starting October 26, 2025, Wizz Air will operate five flights per week between Gatwick and Tirana, with ticket prices starting at just £19.99.
This will be Wizz Air’s second direct route to the Albanian capital, joining its existing service from London Luton. The new flights will be operated using the Airbus A321neo – described by the airline as the most efficient single-aisle aircraft currently available.
Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, said:
“We are delighted to announce our new route from London Gatwick to Tirana. With Albania increasingly recognised as the 'Maldives of Europe', this route gives more of our customers the opportunity to discover untapped destinations across southeastern Europe.”
She also noted that the route is Wizz Air’s 88th from London this year, highlighting the airline's ongoing commitment to offering more affordable travel options.
This announcement follows Wizz Air’s 2024 move to become the first low-cost carrier flying directly from the UK to Saudi Arabia. The airline is now offering long-haul flights from Gatwick to Jeddah using the fuel-efficient Airbus A321XLR. The aircraft, capable of flying up to 11 hours with 30% lower fuel consumption per seat, holds up to 244 passengers.
Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi commented on the airline’s expansion:
“The Airbus A321XLR allows us to connect more distant destinations while maintaining unbeatable fares. Since opening our base at Gatwick in 2020, we’ve seen rapid growth and continue to invest in making travel more accessible.”
With the new Albania route set to take off this autumn, travellers looking for a budget-friendly escape to Europe's hidden gems will have another enticing option at their fingertips. Photo by Pudelek, Wikimedia commons.