According to Olaf Martens, director of Vilnius Airport, the current terminal building which was opened in 2007, has a capacity of 3.5 million passengers per year. However, in 2016 and 2017 passenger traffic grew to almost 3.8 million per year.
“That is why a decision to conduct terminal reconstruction was made. After the reconstruction, passengers will be provided with a faster and a more convenient customer service as well as an expanded commercial area. The refurbished terminal will also provide better working conditions for our employees”, - says O. Martens.
The director of Vilnius Airport adds that after its reconstruction Lithuania’s main air gateway can welcome up to 20 thousand passengers per day. Currently the airport is able to serve9.5 thousand passengers per day, in the summer period this number reaches up to 14-15 thousand.
The upcoming reconstruction will consist of several phases, from which the last one is scheduled to end in 2021.
The modernization of the terminal is going to start with the reconstruction of the sterile area, which will be completed until the end of 2018. Until 2020, the reconstruction of the apron and taxiway will be conducted together with the transformation of the airport’s public traffic infrastructure. The reconstruction of the departure area of the terminal will take place from 2019 to 2021.
O. Martens explains that the upcoming reconstruction is the second big step to the modernization of the main country's air gateway. The first step was the runway reconstruction last year which took 35 days and was ended as scheduled on August 18, 2017.
The cost of the reconstruction is estimated at €60 million. Out of total, the upgrade and purchase of necessary equipment will cost around €20 million, the reconstruction of the apron and taxiway – €12 million.
The constantly growing passenger traffic and the number of flights forces Vilnius Airport to increase its capacity once again. For the first time the main country's air gateway was expanded in 1993, when the terminal, built in 1954, was connected to the new passenger departure terminal. The latter was able to serve 1 million passengers per year. In 2007, the current passenger terminal, complying with the requirements of the Schengen agreement, was opened.
About Vilnius Airport
Vilnius Airport belongs to the network of Lithuanian Airports managing three air gates in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. In 2017, they served 5.2 million passengers and 55.000 flights. During the winter season, 15 airlines fly from Lithuanian Airports in 65 directions to 56 cities in 26 European countries. According to the data of the Airports Council International (ACI Europe), Lithuanian Airports contribute about 2.5 percent to Lithuania’s GDP.
