“We already have a specific project of how the infrastructure of Kaunas Airport will look like. It is planned that the reconstruction work of the airport apron and the terminal in Kaunas airport will be completed and an additional car park and temporary structures will be built by next summer,” says Artūras Stankevičius, the director of Vilnius Airport.
In expectation of an increased number of passengers, in the summer of 2017 two additional temporary arrival and departure locations will be installed next to the existing current terminal of Kaunas Airport: terminal A, intended for passenger departures (3445 m2), and terminal C, intended for passenger arrivals (1000 m2).
The temporary terminal A will contain 16 check-in counters and 4 self check-ins, 6 boarding gates, and 4 security lines. In addition, there will be a business club, shops, cafés, and vending machines. The permanent terminal of Kaunas Airport during the period of changes will become terminal B. It will contain 9 check-in desks and 2 self check-ins, 4 boarding gates and 4 security lines as well as 1 baggage carousel. The temporary passenger arrival terminal C will have 3 baggage pick up areas.
For passengers who drive their own cars to Kaunas Airport, an additional long-term car park for 700 vehicles will be built.
“The route from Vilnius to Kaunas should not pose any problems for passengers because in Europe airports are often located at this distance from their respective cities. I follow this route myself every day and I can assure that it is not a particularly complicated task. In addition, we are already negotiating with transport providers on making the trips from Vilnius to Kaunas more frequent. We also cooperate with municipalities to create more locations from which people could be transported to the airport,” notes A. Stankevičius.
It is estimated that driving one’s own car from Vilnius to Kaunas takes 65 minutes on average. This trip takes only 70 minutes by train and 95 minutes by bus.
The decision to reconstruct the runway at Vilnius Airport was made by taking into consideration its wear and the fact that it has not been reconstructed for 20 years. Preparatory reconstruction works will begin as soon as next week. It is planned that all reconstruction works will cost EUR 25 million.
About Lithuanian Airports
Vilnius and Kaunas Airports belong to the network of Lithuanian airports that links three air gateways in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga. In 2015, they handled 4.2 million passengers and 50,000 flights. During the summer season, 18 airlines fly from Lithuanian airports in 65 directions to 54 cities in 26 countries in Europe and beyond. According to Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), Lithuanian Airports contribute 2.5 per cent to Lithuania’s GDP.
