On Location: “A very big deal”: Air Transat launches historic Toronto–Tirana route

It's said to be a route 40 years in the making.

Air Transat’s inaugural flight TS422 from Toronto to Tirana – the capital and largest city of Albania – was an historic event on Thursday (June 18) for Canadian-Albanian relations.

Not only was the flight sold out, but the route is also a first in North America, bridging a transcontinental gap for the Albanian diaspora and creating a new window for tourism.

“This is an incredible moment,” said Howard Liebman, vice-president of government relations at Transat, speaking at a gate celebration and ribbon cutting at Toronto Pearson airport Thursday night.

“It’s the first-ever flight linking Canada and Albania. It’s the first intercontinental flight and the first North American flight. It’s a very big deal. The flight will be received by the prime minister, members of his cabinet and all of the aviation community at the Tirana International Airport.”

The flight is set to run all summer until October, departing on Thursdays and returning on Fridays, with potential to repeat in 2027.

While the main appeal is for travel to the republic of Albania, Transat is hopeful locals will visit Toronto as well.

“A win for all Canadians”

The flight would not have been possible without the signing of a Canada-Albania bilateral treaty in December 2025, made possible by extensive lobbying.

An extended entourage of diplomatic and government members who assisted in the negotiations were present last night to solidify the new relationship.

In attendance were Ambassador Artemis Malo of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Canada, flanked by embassy staffers; Yvan Baker, MP for Etobicoke Center and chair of the Canada-Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group; and Kadri Dakaj, consulate general of the Republic of Kosovo, all of whom delivered impassioned speeches.

“This is a great homage to our nations, after almost 40 years of diplomatic relations” said Ambassador Malo. “The first time I arrived in Canada, I thought, ‘Why? Why do we have to pass through other European countries to arrive in Canada?’ We are a European country, so let’s do it!”

“This isn’t just about Canada and Albania,” said MP Baker. “Yes, it’s about our relationship, but it’s about the Canadian economy. Prime Minister Carney, assisted by Minister Sidhu, wants to double non-U.S. trade in 10 years. How does that happen? Part of it is people-to-people ties and flights like this. This is a win for all Canadians.”

According to Liebman, “the Albanian government and community had been lobbying the Canada for this flight and Canada responded favourably by undertaking a negotiation. As soon as we learnt of it and saw the opportunity, we jumped at it. It’s leisure, it fits into our niche and it’s something we’re willing to innovate with agility.”

A gateway to the Balkans

Albania has a distinct mediterranean climate along the coastline, with continental weather in the rocky interior.

For travel advisors, it’s a compelling alternative to traditional Mediterranean destinations.

With Adriatic beaches, mountain landscapes and lower price points than neighbouring Greece or Croatia, the country is increasingly appealing to value-conscious travellers seeking new European experiences.

The country is also a gateway to the Balkans, neighbouring Kosovo, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and in shouting distance of Croatia and Italy.

“Albania is a beautiful, historic and developed destination to be discovered by Canadians. It’s not at the scale of typical destinations we love and are proud of, but I also think people will realize that it’s ready,” said Liebman.

“There’s a lot there. It’s a new, exciting and affordable product that the public is going to want to jump on, and we invite advisors to sell it.”

New summer routes

The flight marks Transat’s eighth and final inaugural flight for their expanded network of summer 2026.

Other new summer routes include Toronto-Accra (two weekly), Montreal-Agadir (one weekly), Montreal-Dakar (two weekly), Montreal-Reykjavik (two weekly), Montreal-Ottawa (three weekly) and Ottawa-London Gatwick (three weekly).

New Routes for Summer 2026

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