newstodate.aero
Nov 23, 2009 (newstodate): After a year of depression after a virtual fall-out of international connections, Lithuania's Vilnius Airport has regained hopes of recovery.
The situation is not least spurred by the Lithuanian state's decision to cut airport passenger charges to only 1/10 of the previous levels, made possible by a deep cut in the airport's cost structure under a program that will continue with further cost reductions into 2010.
The aim is to position Vilnius Airport as one of Europe's cheapest for airlines and passengers.
The first results from the sharp reduction in charges, announced in the start of November, were not long in the waiting.
On November 18, 2009, the Russian carrier Yamal Airlines started direct flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport, followed by the launch of flights from Vilnius to Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy, by the Lithuanian carrier Star1 Airlines from November 21.
On December 4, 2009, Lithuanian carrier Aurela plans to launch a series of Christmas flights to London and Dublin.
The Latvian carrier airBaltic also responded fast by announcing a spree of new routes from Vilnius.
On December 18, 2009, airBaltic will launch flights from Vilnius to Paris, on December 19 the carrier will add flights to Munich, and from December 20, airBaltic will launch operations from Vilnius to Berlin.
In addition, SAS has decided to return to serving the route between Vilnius and Copenhagen after a period of suspension where the only services were provided by airBaltic.
More carrier are known to be considering new initiatives to secure a slice of the Lithuanian market for air transportation at Vilnius.
Sweden's Skyways is in the market with services between Vilnius and Stockholm and has earlier aired plans of expansion with routes between Vilnius and Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin.
Also sitting on the fence is a new Icelandic-driven carrier under formation, Lithuania Express that has also been monitoring the market for flights from Vilnius to Berlin, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
At the same time, the Lithuanian ministry of transportation is considering the setting-up of a new national carrier.
The situation is not least spurred by the Lithuanian state's decision to cut airport passenger charges to only 1/10 of the previous levels, made possible by a deep cut in the airport's cost structure under a program that will continue with further cost reductions into 2010.
The aim is to position Vilnius Airport as one of Europe's cheapest for airlines and passengers.
The first results from the sharp reduction in charges, announced in the start of November, were not long in the waiting.
On November 18, 2009, the Russian carrier Yamal Airlines started direct flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport, followed by the launch of flights from Vilnius to Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy, by the Lithuanian carrier Star1 Airlines from November 21.
On December 4, 2009, Lithuanian carrier Aurela plans to launch a series of Christmas flights to London and Dublin.
The Latvian carrier airBaltic also responded fast by announcing a spree of new routes from Vilnius.
On December 18, 2009, airBaltic will launch flights from Vilnius to Paris, on December 19 the carrier will add flights to Munich, and from December 20, airBaltic will launch operations from Vilnius to Berlin.
In addition, SAS has decided to return to serving the route between Vilnius and Copenhagen after a period of suspension where the only services were provided by airBaltic.
More carrier are known to be considering new initiatives to secure a slice of the Lithuanian market for air transportation at Vilnius.
Sweden's Skyways is in the market with services between Vilnius and Stockholm and has earlier aired plans of expansion with routes between Vilnius and Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin.
Also sitting on the fence is a new Icelandic-driven carrier under formation, Lithuania Express that has also been monitoring the market for flights from Vilnius to Berlin, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
At the same time, the Lithuanian ministry of transportation is considering the setting-up of a new national carrier.