newstodate.aero
Nov 11, 2013 (newstodate): A lengthy process has passed a milestone as the Lithuanian parliament approved the proposal for the country's future airports infrastructure.
According to the proposal, the restructuring of the airports infrastructure will comprise the setting up of a state-owned holding company for the joint management of the three state-owned airports of Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga that will each have own specific roles to play drawing on their individual competencies and conditions.
The process started more than five years ago, but pending the president's approval the proposal may turn into law by mid-2014.
-We are keen to see all three airports develop their potentials to the full, and we are convinced that by forming one single holding company on top of them resources will be freed to boost each airport beyond what would be possible if acting alone, says Arijandas Sliupas, vice-minister of transport & communications.
-Vilnius Airport will remain the prime gateway to the country, and it is my personal conviction that an airport charges scheme must be transparent and equal to all, allowing for any airline, legacy or low-cost, interested in operating at the airport to do so on equal terms.
-Anyhow, the infrastructure at this airport will necessarily entail higher operational costs to be covered by airport charges up to five times higher than at Kaunas Airport. Kaunas may therefore be especially attractive to low-cost operators, but they are certainly equally welcome at Vilnius Airport if they find the offerings attractive.
-While Kaunas Airport has developed a significant role in the segment of aircraft maintenance with several companies investing in hangar facilities, Palanga Airport will play a role in serving the western region with air service facilities that are especially targeted by Russian and German operators that find the coastal region attractive.
-All three airport thus have their own potentials and will remain free to develop these to the full under a joint umbrella, says Mr Sliupas.
According to the proposal, the restructuring of the airports infrastructure will comprise the setting up of a state-owned holding company for the joint management of the three state-owned airports of Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga that will each have own specific roles to play drawing on their individual competencies and conditions.
The process started more than five years ago, but pending the president's approval the proposal may turn into law by mid-2014.
-We are keen to see all three airports develop their potentials to the full, and we are convinced that by forming one single holding company on top of them resources will be freed to boost each airport beyond what would be possible if acting alone, says Arijandas Sliupas, vice-minister of transport & communications.
-Vilnius Airport will remain the prime gateway to the country, and it is my personal conviction that an airport charges scheme must be transparent and equal to all, allowing for any airline, legacy or low-cost, interested in operating at the airport to do so on equal terms.
-Anyhow, the infrastructure at this airport will necessarily entail higher operational costs to be covered by airport charges up to five times higher than at Kaunas Airport. Kaunas may therefore be especially attractive to low-cost operators, but they are certainly equally welcome at Vilnius Airport if they find the offerings attractive.
-While Kaunas Airport has developed a significant role in the segment of aircraft maintenance with several companies investing in hangar facilities, Palanga Airport will play a role in serving the western region with air service facilities that are especially targeted by Russian and German operators that find the coastal region attractive.
-All three airport thus have their own potentials and will remain free to develop these to the full under a joint umbrella, says Mr Sliupas.