newstodate.aero

Jun 05, 2020 (newstodate): So far, Latvia's airBaltic has been successful in positioning itself as an airline serving the entire Baltic region with air connectivity, close to becoming the "pan-Baltic airline".
   However, the two neighboring countries Estonia and Lithuania have never fully given up hopes for own airlines serving their national interests and being under national control.
   In Estonia, the state-owned airline Nordica is currently awaiting green lights for the state to grant a financial relief package based on criteria including a business plan comprising scheduled services to secure the country's connectivity with major European markets.
   airBaltic opened its base at Tallinn Airport in November 2014, and effectively squeezed out its Estonian competitor that finally retreated from the market for scheduled services from July 2019.  
   Now, the Lithuanian Minister of Transportation has revealed intentions for establishing a new state-owned virtual airline to start services already before the end of this year in cooperation with an existing airline providing flight operations and fleet.
   According to a release, the aim is to make Lithuania "independent of foreign air carriers' constantly changing strategies", and to reduce the country's reliance on foreign airlines.
   In Lithuania, airBaltic opened its base at Vilnius in November 2014, benefiting from the final collapse of Lithuania's latest attempt to establish a national carrier, Air Lituanica that finally folded its wings on May 22, 2015.