New CEO of Lithuanian Airports sees Madrid, Geneva destinations as strategically important

VILNIUS – Simonas Bartkus, new director general of Lietuvos Oro Uostai (Lithuanian Airports, LOU), the operator of Lithuania’s airports of Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, says that possible new destinations of Madrid and Geneva would be of strategic importance for Lithuania's accessibility.

"If we were talking about increased frequencies [of flights], I would see Munich, Paris and Brussels first. If we are talking about new destinations, I would see Madrid, Geneva. Their appearance [on the flights map] could have a strategic significance for Lithuania's accessibility", Bartkus told BNS in an interview.

He said that a risk-sharing model could be used to promote these destinations. Under such a model, Lithuanian Airports launched a search for a carrier between Vilnius and London City at the end of May and the winner is expected to be announced soon.

"There has been interest, we do not have a final decision yet, but it seems that everything is moving in a positive direction and we will be able to announce who will be going there in the near future," Bartkus said.