The Lithuanian department of tourism is celebrating the completion of a €19 million reconstruction project, and the re-opening of the capital’s airport, Vilnius.
The newly renovated runway and airport re-opened to flights after 35 days of work, with an official ceremony on the tarmac.
The Vilnius Airport reconstruction project has seen the replacement of old pavements, the reinforcement of foundations, the installation of new drainage and rainwater collection systems, and the reconstruction of the lighting control system.
Final restoration works, which will not affect passengers to the airport, will continue until autumn.
During the works, flights to Vilnius were redirected to Kaunas Airport, which had begun preparations to cope with the increase in passenger numbers earlier this year with the building of additional terminals, expansion of the parking area and recruitment of additional staff from Vilnius Airport.
Kaunas Airport served nearly 4,000 flights, and 360,000 passengers during this 35 day period.
Monika Počikovskytė, chief specialist at Lithuania department of tourism commented:
“We’re delighted with the Vilnius Airport renovation works which have been completed within such a short space of time. This not only demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in our tourism industry, but also demonstrates the rise in visitor numbers we have experienced over the past few years, showing that Lithuania is the destination to visit this year and beyond.”
Lithuania is more accessible than ever with direct flights offered from London Luton by Wizz Air, and from London Stansted by Ryanair.