The expansion follows a $300 million commitment from Ryanair to open a three-aircraft base in Tirana next April, and a vow to base up to a further three aircraft there by 2030. The budget carrier launched flights to Albania in November 2023.

Ryanair’s twice-weekly Birmingham-Tirana service will take off on 1 April 2006, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays through to 24 October 2026.

Twice-weekly Dublin-Tirana services, meanwhile, will take off a day later on 2 April 2026, opening on Thursdays and Mondays through to 22 October 2026.

Ryanair will operate the routes using new Boeing B737-800 aircraft. Ryanair expects annual passengers to Tirana to grow to four million next summer, and then to five million and beyond by 2030.

"Ryanair’s continued growth at Tirana offers Albania a massive opportunity to grow its air traffic, tourism and jobs," said Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary, adding each additional based aircraft would represent an extra $100 commitment by the carrier.

Piervittorio Farabbi, Tirana airport chief operating officer, described Ryanair’s expansion plans as a "pivotal moment", stressing the airport was ready to ramp up operational capacity landside and airside with an extended runway, additional aircraft stands and a tripling of capacity at its terminal.