“Despite the fact that this year it is expected to have nearly 100 direct flights from Lithuania, this study aims to use aviation experts for consultations on the planned solutions. We hope that external experts will help to choose the optimal long-term and sustainable business model for the promotion of flights, which would ensure the country’s convenient air transport connections to the most important destinations for business and inbound tourism,” said Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications.
The proposed model of flight promotion will have to ensure air communication in at least 10 directions important for Lithuania; the duration of its implementation will be at least 10 years. The strategic destinations include Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Rome and others. The identified destinations will be able to include those to which direct flights are currently conducted, and those to which there are no direct flights from Lithuania at the moment.
During the preparation of the plan, it will be analysed which target markets in Lithuania will be relevant in the next 5 years for the segments generating most flight passengers – inbound tourism, attracting and retaining direct foreign investment, and generating export flows of services and goods. It is planned to study at least 10 target markets, of which at least 8 would be in the European Union, and to identify several destinations for each market that are most appropriate for direct air travel, as well as for forecasting air passenger traffic for the next 10 years.
After evaluating the data obtained from these studies and possible models for the promotion of flights, the planners will have to provide detailed and consistent recommendations and propose an optimal model that can systematically contribute to meeting the needs of flights in strategic directions. According to this model, a business plan will have to be prepared, and a financing scheme for its implementation will be provided.
The preparation and approval of a business plan for the operation of strategic flights is provided for in the plan for the implementation of the provisions of the Government Programme.
Currently, different flight promotion models are used to promote flights at Lithuanian airports, and marketing agencies of the country’s major cities also contribute to the attraction of flights, which also directly invest in and contribute to the attraction of new flights and the development of the existing ones. The proposed long-term flight promotion model is expected to further improve the country’s accessibility and increase Lithuania’s attractiveness to scheduled airlines.
In 2020, direct flights to and from Lithuanian airports were conducted in 72 directions. In 2021, the pre-pandemic level was exceeded, reaching 94 directions. In 2022, further growth of the number of destinations from Lithuanian airports is planned, which will reach a total of about 100 destinations at the country’s three air gates. It is planned that 65 % of the 2019 level in terms of the number of passengers will be restored this year, and the number of passengers will reach 4.2 million. That would equate to a 70 % growth compared to 2021.
