newstodate.aero

Apr 13, 2023 (newstodate):Lithuanian Airports has secured the immediate continuation of the route connecting Vilnius Airport and London City Airport.
   The route will be operated six times per week by the Polish carrier using Embraer 190 aircraft leased from Nordic Aviation Capital - one of the few aircraft types to meet the strict operating requirements of London City Airport's short runway.
   Following a tender process, the route was launched on May 1, 2019,  stalled during the corona pandemic and reopened again from August 31, 2020.
   It was the first route operating under a unique EU-approved PSO contract where the actual state aid is contingent on number of bookings - more seats sold, less state aid, and when bookings exceed 92 percent of available seats, state aid will be zero.
   With the new contract extension, flights are now secured till September 30, 2023.
   In the meantime, Lithuanian Airports is aiming at developing and starting the implementation of a new, additional flight promotion model based on risk sharing between the air carrier and the state to secure also the route to London City as the new contract extension expires.