Lithuania wants a strategy for controlled development of its air connectivity

Published: 18-02-2022 Lithuania wants a strategy for controlled development of its air connectivity

Feb 18, 2022 (newstodate): Lithuania remains determined to develop the country's connectivity with new routes within a strategic framework.
   To further this aim, Lithuania's Ministry of Transport has signed a contract with the UK consulting company Informa Markets Ltd. for launch of a business plan providing the most effective ways to promote Lithuania's air transport with the target markets for the national economy and inbound tourism, improve the country's accessibility by direct flights and how flight destinations should expand over the next decade.
   -Although close to 100 direct flight destinations from Lithuania are expected this year, this study aims to use aviation experts to advise on planned solutions. We hope that external experts will help to choose the optimal business model for long-term and sustainable flight promotion, which would ensure convenient air transport for the country in the most important directions for business and inbound tourism, says Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport.
    The Latvian carrier airBaltic has been keen to promote itself as the provider of air connectivity in all three Baltic markets.
   However, both Estonia and Lithuania seem uneasy about relying solely on air services provided by airBaltic that has repeatedly adjusted its strategy and services in the two countries based on own commercial considerations.
   In Lithuania, the Minister of Transportation in 2020 aired intentions for establishing a new state-owned virtual airline to start services already before the end of the year in cooperation with an existing airline providing flight operations and fleet.
   According to a release, the aim was to make Lithuania "independent of foreign air carriers' constantly changing strategies", and to reduce the country's reliance on foreign airlines.
   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 folded its wings on May 22, 2015.
   Since then, Lithuania has been without an own "national" airline.

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