Shortly before the closure of air borders by the pandemic in March last year, ticket prices from Rinas had marked a significant drop due to increased competition.
Tickets to Italy or Vienna were also reduced to 15-20 euros one way, by low cost operators like Wizz Air and Easyjet. Their entry forced other companies to offer cheaper tickets.
The limitations of the pandemic completely changed the air market all over the world and in Albania. Italy’s weight fell and new destinations gradually expanded.
Yesterday, after 16 months of restrictions, the Governments of the European Union agreed to add to the list where non-essential travel is allowed eight countries and territories, among which is Albania. Countries can individually choose to request a Covid-19 negative test or a quarantine period, or whether they will recognize Chinese and Russian vaccines, in addition to those approved by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneka, Johnson & Johson) .
But now that the roads are opening, tickets are no longer as cheap as before, especially in the months when it is not the peak of the season. Tickets priced at 15-20 euros are hard to find anymore. Monitor has made a survey on the websites of airlines that offer direct flights, for departures around 2 August and return around 6 and in September (low season) for return ticket prices on 20-24 September.
In August, due to high demand prices are the most expensive all year round.
With Wizz Air, in Milan Malpensa, for the dates 2 and 6 August, the return ticket costs 210 euros. Tickets for this destination are cheaper on September 20-24, at 65 euros.
With Wizz Air, Rome new destination at Ciampinio airport, on August 2 and 6 round trip ticket costs 120 euros, in September 100 euros. In June you can find tickets to this destination for 20 euros one way.
With Air Albania on the same dates, the return flight to Rome costs 139 euros.
Round trip London costs 200 euros in August, with Wizz Air, while in September prices drop to 125 euros. With Albawings, London (Stansted) is accessible for 225 euros in August (dates 4 and 8).
In Stockholm Skavsta, on the 3rd and 7th of August a round trip ticket costs 200 euros, in September 160 euros, with Wizz Air.
Vienna twice a week with Wizz, in August (2 and 6) costs 135 euros, about the same levels in September, in October it reaches 150 euros (before the pandemic Vienna dropped to 20 euros one way with Wizz Air)
Istanbul with Air Albania costs 109 euros in August (two directions), in September it drops to 96.5 euros.
Towards German cities, tickets in August (round trip) cost over 200 euros, while in September they decrease to around 150 euros.
Moscow, the new destination, over 600 euros
Tirana International Airport announced that from June 20, 2021, direct flights with Tirana and Moscow start once a week with the airline Ural Airlines (tourist charter). Tickets can be purchased online and on the Ural Airlines website, but are very expensive. On August 1, the ticket from Tirana to Moscow is worth 297 euros (there are only 5 seats at this price, then it increases to 333 euros.
The closest return on August 8 costs 337 euros (only 7 seats at this price, then increases to 373 euros).
Abroad, over 400 euros
In recent months, direct destinations outside the European continent have increased. In August, Rinas-Dubai round-trip flights cost 432 euros, with Fly Dubai. Prices are at these levels unchanged throughout the year.
To Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Flynas, round-trip tickets in August cost over 600 euros. The flights will operate with the capital of Saudi Arabia three times a week, deploying an Airbus A320.
Flights from Kukes are not so cheap (promo offers are very few)
From July 15, it was announced that flights will start from the newest airport, that of Kukës. Initially there will be two destinations, Istanbul and Zurich, once a week.
If you are going to fly from Kukes to Zurich in August it is not so cheap. To go on the 5th, the ticket costs a minimum of 17,040 ALL, as the economy promo option is sold. The first possible return date is August 12, with a promo economy that costs 6,456 ALL. In total, the return ticket costs 23,496 ALL, or about 190 euros.
The cheapest is Zurich in September, with 1,588 lekë, on September 20 and the earliest possible return is on September 30 with 3,704 lekë. The total ticket costs about 5,300 lek, or 42 euros.
From Kukes to Istanbul on August 5 the departure is 6,604 Lekë and the return on the nearest date is on August 12 with 2,985 Lekë. The ticket costs a total of 9,589 ALL or 77 euros (excluding the road tax of the Nation and fuel costs to Kukës).
In September, the ticket from Kukes to Istanbul is much cheaper, with 1,588 lekë return on September 23 (but only one place has this promo price, then increases to 11,939 lekë) and the earliest return on September 30, with 2,985 lekë (but only one place is at this price) and then the return is 13,335 lekë. In total the return ticket, if you catch the return with promo (for which only one seat is available) is 37 euros and after their completion increases significantly to 204 euros.
