Albania continues its record of commercial flights/ Records a 208% increase in May compared to the pre-pandemic period
The number of commercial flights in Albania has marked a tremendous increase compared to May of the pre-pandemic period, positioning our country at the top of Europe for the expansion of air traffic. According to data for May 2026, commercial flights in Albania have increased by 208.2% compared to May before the pandemic, an increase that significantly exceeds any other European market.
Albania's strong growth is part of a positive trend in the region, where Bosnia and Herzegovina also recorded a growth of 66.7%, Serbia 48.4%, North Macedonia 30.7% and Montenegro 27.6%. Meanwhile, Turkey has recorded an expansion of 17.7%, reflecting the increasing demand for travel and the development of tourism in the Balkan region.
In the European Union, the recovery in aviation has been slower, with an average growth of just 0.5% compared to the pre-pandemic period. However, some countries have significantly exceeded 2019 levels, especially tourist destinations. Malta leads with a growth of 44.3%, followed by Poland with 29.3%, Greece with 27.2%, Hungary with 20.1%, while Spain and Italy have each recorded a growth of 19%. Other increases were also seen in Portugal with 16.3%, Cyprus with 16% and Croatia with 13.8%.
On the other hand, several European countries continue to operate below pre-pandemic levels. The largest declines were recorded in Latvia with -28.6%, Slovenia with -27.9%, Sweden with -26.9%, Finland with -20.1%, Germany with -16.2% and Austria with -13.4%. Even important markets such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Norway still have fewer flights compared to pre-pandemic May.
Albania's performance shows a rapid expansion of the domestic air market, influenced by the growth of tourism, the addition of new routes and the growing interest of airlines in the Albanian destination. With a growth of over 200%, Albania has become one of the fastest growing aviation markets in Europe.
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