As the contract of Lithuanian airports with the company "LOT Polish Airlines" for the business-friendly flight from Vilnius to London City expires in October this year, a new air carrier is being sought for this route.
Lithuanian airports announced that they had published an international call for airlines to participate in the selection of this operator.
Minister of Transport Marius Skoudis says that this is the first time that flights for communication to Lithuania are initiated in a strategic direction according to the risk-sharing partnership model.
"Out of various flight promotion alternatives, this model was chosen as the most suitable, with the aim of increasing Lithuania's reach by air. The City of London is the first flight direction to be started, because it is important to ensure it for the business community and the development of tourism," M. Skuodis said in the announcement.
It is expected that the contract with the company that submitted the best offer could be signed by September, and flights would start in mid-autumn.
According to Aurim Stikliūnas, the interim head of Lithuanian airports, according to the new model, an investment contract of up to 15 years will be concluded between Lithuanian airports and the airline. Both parties to the contract will both assume the financial risks and share the financial benefits.
"The launch of this investment model is a very important strategic change for the whole country, which I believe will shape good practice and future directions for the promotion of the model applied. In the future, if additional funds are allocated in the country's budget, it will be a solid basis for planning the development of routes when planning further actions," A. Stikliūnas said in the report.
Airlines can submit their offers to Lithuanian airports until June 9.
In 2018, LOT won the competition announced by the Government, which allows states to support flights of special importance within the European Union. Under this model, losses incurred by airlines are usually covered.
The flights between Vilnius and London City were launched in May 2019 and according to the contract with Polish Airlines, will take place until September 30.
