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Apr 27, 2020 (newstodate): Lithuania is keenly aware that intense preparations are needed to lure airlines to return services on routes grounded by the current Covid-19 era.
   -Multiple carriers across Europe have already received promises from national governments for financial support, which will only increase pressure on these carriers to further seek operational profitability. This means that airlines will re-evaluate the business case of each route before reinstating passenger flights. Low-profitability or loss-making routes will likely be reinstated much later – in one or two years, says Aurimas Stikliunas, Lithuanian Airports Head of Aviation Services.
   -Thus, we have set up a whole plan that includes measures to encourage airlines to reinstate passenger flights. Firstly, airlines will have 60 days more to pay airport charges. Secondly, we have developed a new incentive program to facilitate the return of flights and passengers. We have also revised our current incentive programs, based on which air carriers are obliged to pay airport aviation charges.
   -Now is the critical time for negotiations with all relevant stakeholders – ministries, travel and tourism organizations and other partners – for the implementation of additional measures that would facilitate a smooth return of flights. Additional measures, alongside current incentive schemes, are necessary for the return of strategically important flights and further growth.  
   -These measures would allow the return of the most necessary flights which are strategically important and bring added value not only for various businesses, but the whole country, says Mr Stikliunas.  
   All passenger operations at the three airports managed by Lithuanian Airports, Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, have been cancelled since mid-March 2020, leaving only cargo operations that have, however, been growing in scale and volume.