newstodate.aero
May 16, 2011 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier airBaltic has changed its strategy for the Lithuanian market - but still maintains a high profile in the market.
-It is true that we have stopped services on many routes earlier served directly from Vilnius Airport, now scaling back to providing only direct flight to Riga, says Janis Vanags, airBaltic VP Corporate communications.
-But airBaltic is still the second largest airline at Vilnius Airport as to flight operations as we serve the route between Vilnius and our hub at Riga Airport with no less than 49 rotations per week during this summer schedule. From Riga, passengers are then traveling on to destinations on our extensive route network
-We have made no efforts to hide the fact that the build-up of low-cost flights at Vilnius Airport is the reason behind our change of strategy. But we have also pointed out that the increase of routes by low-cost carriers Ryanair and WIZZ Air has not actually expanded the airport's offering of international connections. Instead, it has rather lead to massive congestion on a few popular routes leaving other destinations under-served, says Mr Vanags.
-It is true that we have stopped services on many routes earlier served directly from Vilnius Airport, now scaling back to providing only direct flight to Riga, says Janis Vanags, airBaltic VP Corporate communications.
-But airBaltic is still the second largest airline at Vilnius Airport as to flight operations as we serve the route between Vilnius and our hub at Riga Airport with no less than 49 rotations per week during this summer schedule. From Riga, passengers are then traveling on to destinations on our extensive route network
-We have made no efforts to hide the fact that the build-up of low-cost flights at Vilnius Airport is the reason behind our change of strategy. But we have also pointed out that the increase of routes by low-cost carriers Ryanair and WIZZ Air has not actually expanded the airport's offering of international connections. Instead, it has rather lead to massive congestion on a few popular routes leaving other destinations under-served, says Mr Vanags.