State enterprise Lithuanian Airports has called on interested carriers to establish a direct link between Vilnius and London City airport.
Obtaining rights to the route will be predicated on the applicant's commitment to providing at least six daily services a week across the full year.
Lithuania's transport and communications ministry says the operator-selection campaign envisages a dual mode: "A two-month period is assigned for taking in pitches in response to advertisements. Unless viable proposals emerge, Lithuanian Airports would then invite competitive bids through a formal tender process."
The ministry adds that the winning bidder could be eligible for state financial backing, if an approval from EU competition authorities is obtained.
Lithuania's Investment Promotion Agency says it deems the opening of London City services to be "crucially important for the Vilnius International airport as well as for the country's social and economic development". It adds: "Hence, the project has been included in the government sponsorship programme aimed at boosting cross-border services to and from the country's three airports."
FlightGlobal schedules data indicates that Ryanair and Wizz Air serve the Lithuanian capital from London Luton, while Ryanair operates flights to Vilnius from London Stansted.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
