newstodate.aero
Aug 03, 2011 (newstodate): Whatever the outcome of efforts to attract an airline to set up itself as Lithuania's coming national carrier, the policy of open competition will be maintained.
-We are indeed open to any suggestion or initiative from any corner of the industry concerning the future development at the three international airports of Lithuania, Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. But the experience with an open competitive environment has been so convincing that we will certainly stick to that as a basic principle, says Rimvydas Vastakas, Lithuania's vice-Minister of Transport and communication.
-The performance at the capital airport of Vilnius has been extremely positive during the recent months, and we are now close to pre-crisis levels in passenger volumes and provision of destinations. All this even without a national carrier in the market.
-We have analyzed all options and have come to the conclusion that setting up a new national carrier from point zero if simply too requiring in investments. The future for us is rather to continue seeking relations with existing parties with an open door for partnerships, joint ventures or other forms of committing cooperation. And even if we do not find a solution in the short term, time is obviously working for Lithuania, says Mr Vastakas.
-We are indeed open to any suggestion or initiative from any corner of the industry concerning the future development at the three international airports of Lithuania, Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. But the experience with an open competitive environment has been so convincing that we will certainly stick to that as a basic principle, says Rimvydas Vastakas, Lithuania's vice-Minister of Transport and communication.
-The performance at the capital airport of Vilnius has been extremely positive during the recent months, and we are now close to pre-crisis levels in passenger volumes and provision of destinations. All this even without a national carrier in the market.
-We have analyzed all options and have come to the conclusion that setting up a new national carrier from point zero if simply too requiring in investments. The future for us is rather to continue seeking relations with existing parties with an open door for partnerships, joint ventures or other forms of committing cooperation. And even if we do not find a solution in the short term, time is obviously working for Lithuania, says Mr Vastakas.