Government of the Republic of Lithuania admitted that implementation of the project suggested by flyLAL Group of aviation business companies would bring great benefits for the whole country. On 25 June, Strategic Planning Committee agreed to construction of a private passenger terminal by reconstructing own buildings within the territory of Vilnius International Airport.
“That is exactly the attitude we expected from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania", stated Chairman of flyLAL Group Board Mr. Gediminas Žiemelis. “Development of Vilnius International Airport infrastructure means evident benefits not for the airport itself, air companies performing flights, but for the whole national economy as well as international prestige of Lithuania.”
At the meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania it was highlighted that airport development and new terminal construction will, first of all, contribute to enhancement of the country’s competitiveness in the world and reduction of the current backwardness in air transport field if compared with other countries. Attention was drawn to the fact that by the number of passengers Vilnius International Airport is lagging behind Riga Airport by two times and from Helsinki Airport by 11 times. The fact that the state is incapable to reduce this gap without private investments was emphasised.
The Strategic Planning Committee of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania agreed at the meeting that the national carrier flyLAL currently is the only entity that is interested in and capable of increasing passengers’ flow in Vilnius International Airport. Upon construction of the suggested terminal, the number of passengers arriving to Vilnius would be increased by approximately four times, if compared with 2007 – from 1.7 million up to 7 million.
The project suggested to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania stipulated that the airport is merely a tool for attracting business, tourism and investments. Hotels, commercial and office buildings could be built in the neighbourhood of the airport, recreation zones, etc. could emerge there. Vilnius International Airport would become a modern centre capable of competing with other airports of the Baltic States and some Western European airports.
Increased passengers flow would bring additional incomes of approximately LTL 5.4 billion every year for Lithuania, resulting in generation of additional up to LTL 25 billion GDP (in 2007, GDP was about LTL 90 Billion).
It was discussed at the meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee that upon construction of a modern airport Vilnius would have a potential to become a leader in the Baltic Region by attracting investments into the country, promoting tourism, creating conditions for tourists and transit of passengers between the East and West.
flyLAL Group is planning to invest up to LTL 120 million into the construction of a new terminal. In the period of 3 years, over 20 new flights are planned to be launched.
Having emphasised benefits for Lithuania to be brought by the project suggested by flyLAL Group, the Strategic Planning Committee of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania delegated the Ministry of Transport and Communications to draw up necessary draft amendments to legislation and present them to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by 16 of July, therefore legal and technical base for project implementation is expected to be prepared without any delay, and as soon as this October construction of a new passenger terminal will commence.
Construction of a private passenger terminal is planned by flyLAL Group to be completed in 15 months. The new terminal will be capable of servicing up to 5 million passengers.
26 June, 2008
