Lithuania and Latvia could establish joint airline and postal company

KLAIPEDA - Lithuania and Latvia could establish a joint airline and postal company in the future, Latvian Transport Minister Aivis Ronis and his Lithuanian counterpart Eligijus Masiulis announced during the meeting in Klaipeda on Oct. 9, reports ELTA/LETA.

“Latvian and Estonian national airlines have suffered considerable losses over the past few years and their future prospects seem unclear. A study carried out by the Lithuanian Transport Ministry several years ago showed that only a joint Baltic airline can be successful on such a small market as the Baltic States,” pointed out Masiulis.

He urged Latvian and Estonian colleagues to renew discussions on the issue and conduct new calculations to see if a joint venture pays off.

Latviais currently looking for a strategic investor for the loss-making airBaltic. Estonia has also started discussions on the future of Estonian Air.

Lithuanian and Latvian ministers also discussed setting up a joint postal company that would provide courier services. Lietuvos Pastas has already launched talks with Latvijas Pasts.