Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline group in Central and Eastern Europe*, today reacted to media reports that cited claims made by the General Manager of Vilnius International Airport, that business agreements with low-cost airlines are unprofitable for the airport.
“Wizz Air entered and began investing in the Lithuanian air transport market at a time when other airlines went bankrupt (FlyLAL) or were cutting routes and flights (airBaltic). Since then the airline grew at the underutilized airport in Vilnius to now offer routes and flights on 3 based aircraft. By doing so, Wizz Air enabled the airport to spread its costs over more passengers, and to become more competitive against other airports in the region, such as Riga. Lithuanian consumers now have many direct international low cost routes which can make them save both time and money and whenever they fly Wizz Air from Vilnius they are not giving their business to the airports in Riga or elsewhere in the Baltics. Our exciting new routes to Norway, Israel, Georgia and Greece allow local consumers to explore new destinations and are likewise available for tourists and others travelling to Lithuania”, said corporate spokesman for Wizz Air, Daniel de Carvalho.
WIZZ AIR SEAT CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AT VILNIUS AIRPORT
Year | Seats |
2011 | 266,000 |
2012 | 550,000 |
2013 | 638,000 |
2014 | 820,000 |
Wizz Air also drew attention to the significance of low-cost airlines at Vilnius International Airport given that almost half of all passengers using this airport chose to fly on low fare offers. Growing passenger numbers can support job creation and potentially bring new business to airports, which can boost their non-aviation services such as airport parking, shopping and gastronomy. In fact, Wizz Air’s cabin baggage policy is designed to support airport shopping sales with passengers allowed to bring items purchased after airport security on board, free of charge.
Vilnius Airport grows traffic with low fare passengers
Year | Passengers using Vilnius airport |
2010 (Jan- Dec)
-before Wizz Air entered Lithuania- | 1.370.000 |
2013 (Jan – Aug) | 1,800,000 |
Source: Vilnius International Airport Traffic datahttp://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/about-us/statistics/
“Wizz Air now offers direct flights from the Lithuanian capital to 16 destinations in 11 countries. This is an opportunity not just for the airport but indeed for the Lithuanian tourism industry. In 2012 tourists spent 3,34** billion Litas visiting Lithuania and all our routes are open to those who wish to discover this beautiful country”, concluded de Carvalho.
