newstodate.aero
Feb 17, 2010 (newstodate): The issue of a pan-Baltic carrier to serve the markets of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with air services is still on the agenda - at least in Lithuania.
-We are happy to note that the situation in Lithuania concerning international air services is improving fast, and we are really heading in the right direction, not least with the recent announcement by Ryanair of the location of their first Central European operational base in Kaunas and the opening of not less than 18 routes, says Rimvydas Vastakas, Vice-Minister of Transport and communication.
-This has proved that there is no need for Lithuania to set up an own new national carrier to provide us with air services. Also the costs involved be prohibitive.
-On the other hand the issue of the formation of a joint pan-Baltic carrier is still under negotiation between the three countries, while the process is only just in its early stage. But the topic has been raised to the level of the three countries' prime ministers and will be further developed.
-It is of course impossible at this stage to predict anything about the final outcome of the analysis and negotiations. We cannot know how the existing carriers in the Baltic region, notably Latvia's airBaltic, will fit in or what role they would assume within this context. But the process is alive, and we are eager to follow developments, says Mr Vastakas.
So far the Estonian side has reacted rather lukewarm to the idea, while airBaltic has already declared itself in support of the concept, presuming a significant role in its development.
-We are happy to note that the situation in Lithuania concerning international air services is improving fast, and we are really heading in the right direction, not least with the recent announcement by Ryanair of the location of their first Central European operational base in Kaunas and the opening of not less than 18 routes, says Rimvydas Vastakas, Vice-Minister of Transport and communication.
-This has proved that there is no need for Lithuania to set up an own new national carrier to provide us with air services. Also the costs involved be prohibitive.
-On the other hand the issue of the formation of a joint pan-Baltic carrier is still under negotiation between the three countries, while the process is only just in its early stage. But the topic has been raised to the level of the three countries' prime ministers and will be further developed.
-It is of course impossible at this stage to predict anything about the final outcome of the analysis and negotiations. We cannot know how the existing carriers in the Baltic region, notably Latvia's airBaltic, will fit in or what role they would assume within this context. But the process is alive, and we are eager to follow developments, says Mr Vastakas.
So far the Estonian side has reacted rather lukewarm to the idea, while airBaltic has already declared itself in support of the concept, presuming a significant role in its development.