Lithuanian Airports Boost Global Connectivity

Lithuanian Airports is accelerating its efforts to expand its route network across Western Europe and long-haul markets following a record-breaking year for passenger traffic in 2024. Speaking at Routes Europe 2025 in Seville, Tomas Zitikis, head of route development, explained that the airport group is actively targeting new connections to high-potential destinations in Europe while exploring opportunities in North America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. “Our goal this year is to secure connectivity with Geneva, Madrid, Stuttgart, and Gothenburg,” Zitikis said, adding that the group will soon invite airlines to participate in open calls for new routes. This strategic push builds on Lithuania’s innovative route funding model introduced in 2023 as a reimagined version of the public service obligation scheme. The initiative provides a risk-sharing mechanism that incentivizes carriers to launch routes deemed socially or economically important yet commercially marginal. Zitikis highlighted that what began as a joint partnership with LOT Polish Airlines on the Vilnius–London City route has expanded to new connectivity with Lisbon, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf, with airBaltic winning public tenders for these routes. Lithuanian Airports, which operates Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga airports, exceeded pre-pandemic traffic levels in 2024 by reaching an all-time record of 6.6 million passengers. To support this growth, the airport group has invested in significant infrastructure upgrades, including the recent opening of a new departures terminal at Vilnius Airport in early 2025. “Just over a month ago we opened a brand-new departures terminal in Vilnius,” Zitikis said. “The new terminal features the latest airport technology, can handle twice as many guests per hour, and offers a significantly better travel experience.” Kaunas Airport is also undergoing expansion, with a new terminal and upgraded apron and taxiway expected to be completed in time for the winter 2025-26 season, ensuring that capacity keeps pace with demand. Recent air service gains include new routes launched in 2024 by Aegean Airlines and Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY from Vilnius, as well as airBaltic’s expansion to Krakow and Oslo-Torp. In addition, Wizz Air is adding routes to Bergen and Catania, and Ryanair based a third aircraft at Kaunas, opening new links to Berlin, Pisa, and Zadar. Palanga Airport, which serves Lithuania’s Baltic coast, has secured a new airBaltic route to Amsterdam and will, for the first time, offer direct charter flights to Egypt and Turkey. Zitikis stressed that opening new routes is only half the story; the airport group works closely with key stakeholders in both local and destination cities to raise awareness about direct services and boost travel demand. Looking ahead, several additional routes are set to launch in 2025, including airBaltic services from Vilnius to Prague and Tirana, a new Ryanair route from Kaunas to Pescara, Israir flights to Tel Aviv, and Flydubai beginning service to Vilnius in October. Despite ongoing global capacity constraints, Zitikis affirmed that Lithuania’s aviation market has shown remarkable resilience and strong appeal to airline partners. “Our valued airline partners are not only managing to expand at Lithuanian Airports but are also planning further growth, which signals the strength and importance of our market,” he concluded.

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