Lithuania’s Vilnius Airport Expands Route Opportunities Through Routes 360
Vilnius Airport (VNO), situated just 6 km (3.7 mi.) from Lithuania’s UNESCO-listed old town, is capitalizing on its status as the country’s largest and busiest airport. With over 4.8 million passengers handled in 2024—a 9% increase from the previous year and nearly matching pre-pandemic records—VNO is positioning itself as the primary gateway for business, leisure, and VFR travelers in a rapidly growing economy.
Operated by Lithuanian Airports, VNO currently offers regular flights to 75 destinations via partnerships with 14 airlines. The airport’s recent developments include welcoming two new airline partners in April 2024: Aegean Airlines, launching a seasonal, twice-weekly route to Athens, and PLAY, introducing a seasonal service to Reykjavik (KEF) with an initial once-weekly flight.
The summer season has been particularly busy for VNO. Last year, airBaltic added three new routes—to Hamburg (HAM), Lisbon (LIS), and Krakow (KRK)—and later in October, the carrier introduced flights to Düsseldorf (DUS) and Sandefjord Torp (TRF). AirBaltic also plans to expand its presence at VNO with two new routes for the 2025 summer schedule: Prague (PRG) and Tirana (TIA).
Looking ahead, several exciting initiatives are on the horizon:
- Israir Airlines is set to launch a twice-weekly service between Vilnius and Tel Aviv in April 2025, marking its debut at VNO.
- PLAY will double its Reykjavik service to twice-weekly starting in May 2025.
- airBaltic will boost its Vilnius to Amsterdam route to twice-daily operations this summer.
- Swiss International Air Lines will serve Vilnius daily during peak summer months with six weekly flights.
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines is expanding its service from Copenhagen, increasing frequency to 26 flights per week.
- In October, flydubai is expected to join VNO’s growing roster, offering access to global connections via the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to route expansions, Vilnius Airport has significantly invested in infrastructure improvements. On February 4, the new passenger departure terminal was officially opened, doubling the airport’s hourly capacity and integrating state-of-the-art technology to enhance the travel experience. Further upgrades are planned, including a new Arrivals terminal, expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
As part of the Routes 360 platform—the only digital tool dedicated to route development—Vilnius Airport is actively seeking to expand its destination portfolio across Europe and North America. The airport’s profile on Routes 360 features key data on traffic demand and identifies several unserved and underserved routes for potential development.
Unserved Route Opportunities:
- Prague Airport (PRG)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Genève Airport (GVA)
- New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Budapest Airport (BUD)
- Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Underserved Route Opportunities:
- Brussels Airport (BRU)
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Munich Airport (MUC)
- Zurich Airport (ZRH)
These route opportunities offer valuable insights for airline network planners looking to capitalize on untapped or underexploited markets. With its strategic location, growing passenger numbers, and ongoing infrastructure enhancements, Vilnius Airport is well positioned to meet the evolving demands of international air travel while further enhancing Lithuania’s air connectivity.
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