Albawings was an Albanian low-cost airline headquartered in Tirana and based at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza.
History
Albawings was founded in February 2015.[1] AThe air carrier was awarded the Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) by the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority on 4 February 2016.[2][3] The first aircraft of the company was a Boeing 737-500, with which Albawings started operations, was christened "Spirit of Tirana".[4]
On 11 December 2016, a second aircraft was delivered by rock band frontman Bruce Dickinson. The leased plane was a Boeing 737-400 owned by Cardiff Aviation, and was christened Mr. Pitkin after Sir Norman Wisdom's character Norman Piktin. Wisdom was a notably popular actor in Albania during the communist years of Enver Hoxha, when the character was commonly referred to as "Mr. Pitkin" by Albanian audiences.[5]
On 12 January 2024, Albawings stopped flying and ceased operations due to strong competition from other carriers.[6][7][8]
Fleet
As of August 2025, Albawings operates the following aircraft:[9]
External links
References
- About - Albawings retrieved 21 February 2017^
- Start-up Albawings takes delivery of first B737 aircraft retrieved 21 February 2017^
- Newcomer Albawings takes delivery of its first aircraft Airliners Photostream, retrieved 21 February 2017^
- Italiavola. Albawings.com, il Boeing 737/500 Spirit of Tirana 7 March 2016, retrieved 21 February 2017^
- Chris Pyke. Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson flies the Sir Norman Wisdom to Albania 12 December 2016^
- Albawings 1Q24 Network Temporary Changes^
- These 17 Airlines Shut Down Operations In 2024 www.gatechecked.com, 2024-12-19, retrieved 2025-04-14^
- Aviacionline. Around 20 airlines ceased operations in 2024 Aviacionline, retrieved 2025-04-14^
- Global Airline Guide 2025 - Albawings Airliner World, September 2025^