Air Transat opens the door to the Balkans with a non-stop flight to Tirana from Toronto

An expanded Summer 2026 program: nine new routes, annualized services and increased frequencies on key routes 

MONTREAL, Dec. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Air Transat, voted the World's Best Leisure Airline at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, today announced the launch of a new non-stop service between Toronto and Tirana, Albania. This route, part of the many additions to the carrier's Summer 2026 program, will be operated once weekly starting June 18, using an Airbus A330.       

New for Summer 2026 (CNW Group/Transat A.T. Inc.)

"Albania is fast becoming a standout destination on the European travel map, and we are proud to be the first airline to serve it directly from North America," said Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer. "With nine new routes, the annualization of several services and increased frequencies on our flagship routes, our Summer 2026 program is the most extensive we have ever offered. It is part of a network strategy designed to maximize fleet utilization, support steady and profitable growth, and diversify our revenue streams, all the while giving our travellers more choice, flexibility and access to inspiring new destinations."    

In addition to the introduction of Tirana, Air Transat will roll out a significantly enhanced Summer 2026 program, marked by the launch of new routes, the conversion of several seasonal services to year-round operations, and increased frequencies on strategic routes.

Strengthening services from Quebec City         

Air Transat will also continue its growth at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) with the launch of a new non-stop service to Nantes (NTE) for Summer 2026. This route will be operated once weekly on Tuesdays from June 2 to October 20, 2026, using an Airbus A321LR.     

This addition is part of a substantial reinforcement of Air Transat's offering from Québec City, including an additional frequency to Paris (CDG), bringing the service to up to six weekly flights at the height of the season; the launch of the new Quebec City–Marseille (MRS) route as of Summer 2026; and the annualization of the Quebec City–Fort-de-France (FDF) service, whose inaugural flight took place on December 14.         

"Québec holds a very special place in Air Transat's history and identity," added Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer. "This year's additions from Jean Lesage International Airport reflect our commitment to make thoughtful, long-term investments where demand from Quebec travellers is strong. It is a concrete way for us, as a homegrown airline, to continue growing alongside the region, in step with its travellers."          

New Routes for Summer 2026
Route	Details*
Toronto (YYZ) – Accra (ACC)	2 flights/week, starting June 17, 2026
Toronto (YYZ) – Tirana (TIA)	1 flight/week, starting June 18, 2026
Montreal (YUL) – Agadir (AGA)	1 flight/week, starting June 12, 2026
Montreal (YUL) – Dakar (DSS)	2 flights/week, starting June 17, 2026
Montreal (YUL) – Reykjavik (KEF)	2 flights/week, starting June 16, 2026
Quebec City (YQB) – Marseille (MRS)	1 flight/week, starting May 21, 2026
Montreal (YUL) – Ottawa (YOW)	3 flights/week, starting May 15, 2026
Ottawa (YOW) – London Gatwick (LGW)	3 flights/week, starting May 15, 2026
Quebec City (YQB) – Nantes (NTE)	1 flight/week, starting June 2, 2026

	*Number of frequencies at the height of the season.

Annualization of routes to the South from Montréal, Québec City and Toronto
Route	Details
Toronto (YYZ) – Cartagena (CTG) - Medellín (MDE)	1 flight/week
Montreal (YUL) – Cartagena (CTG) - Medellin (MDE)*	1 flight/week
Montreal (YUL) – Guadalajara (GDL)	Extended until June 27
Montreal (YUL) – Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP)	2 flights/week
Montreal (YUL) – San José (SJO)	2 flights/week
Quebec City (YQB) – Fort-de-France (FDF)	1 flight/week

	*New route

Increased frequencies on key routes
Routes	Details*
Toronto (YYZ) – Berlin (BER)	3 flights/week (+1)
Toronto (YYZ) – Cancun (CUN)	9 flights/week (+2)
Toronto (YYZ) – Faro (FAO)	3 flights/week (+1)
Toronto (YYZ) – Istanbul (IST)	3 flights/week (+1)
Toronto (YYZ) – Lima (LIM)	3 flights/week (+1)
Toronto (YYZ) – Venice (VCE)	3 flights/week (+1)
Montreal (YUL) – Bordeaux (BOD)	6 flights/week (+1)
Montreal (YUL) – Bruxelles (BRU)	5 flights/week (+1)
Montreal (YUL) – Fort-de-France (FDF)	2 flights/week (+1)
Montreal (YUL) – Madrid (MAD)	5 flights/week (+1)
Montreal (YUL) – Valencia (VLC)	2 flights/week (+1)
Quebec City (YQB) – Paris (CDG)	6 flights/week (+1)

	*Number of frequencies at the height of the season and variations compared with the previous year.

In addition, Air Transat's network connectivity continues to improve, notably through its partnerships with Porter Airlines, Turkish Airlines and GOL Airlines. Each of these collaborations expands connecting opportunities across Air Transat's network – whether with Porter for domestic and transborder services, with Turkish Airlines for access to a wide range of destinations via Istanbul, or with GOL to extend the reach of its offering in Brazil and South America.

About Air Transat
Founded in Montreal in 1987, Air Transat is a leading travel brand voted 2025 World's Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. Its program offers access to international destinations, mainly in Europe, the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States, South America and North Africa. Air Transat is recognized for its excellent customer service. Its fleet includes some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category. Based in Montreal with major hubs in YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), it has 5,000 employees with a common purpose to bring people closer together. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ). www.airtransat.com

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.