The aeroplanes of Lufthansa, which is currently one of the largest airlines in the world, fly from Vilnius to Frankfurt twice a day, while the planned additional flight during the summer season will improve connectivity with the German centre of finance and business. In addition, Frankfurt Airport, which in terms of size (the number of passengers handled) is only surpassed by the airports in Istanbul and Paris and London Heathrow Airport, becomes a gateway for many people to travel to other continents.
“This route is very popular, and flight fullness amounts to 85-100%. Flights in this direction will be more frequent due to the aid from the routes development fund. We hope that in this way we will further increase connectivity with Frankfurt, which becomes an increasingly important city for Lithuanian business,” said Jūratė Baltrušaitytė, the Chief Commercial Officer of Lithuanian Airports.
According to her, de minimis aid of the state may be granted to all airlines, taking into account the popularity of a flight and its importance to the state. Airlines appreciate this measure implemented by Lithuanians and are willing to use it.
It is planned that the additional flight (the third daily flight) will be organised in the evening, at 18:35. Passengers will travel by “Airbus A 321” airliners.
De minimis aid
According to the Treaty of the European Community, competition cannot be restricted by subsidising specific companies or products; however, certain subsidies are possible if they do not distort the single market and stimulate small and medium-sized businesses, the introduction of new products to foreign markets, or staff training. Such aid is considered minimal (de minimis) state aid for businesses.
