The Lithuanian Ministry of Transport has submitted a request to the European Union for compensation related to a repatriation flight operated by Chapman Freeborn, which evacuated Lithuanian citizens from Israel during the recent military conflict with Iran.
“In accordance with the applicable procedure, the Ministry of Transport submitted an application to the EU for compensation for the evacuation flight carried out by Chapman Freeborn,” the National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC), which coordinated the evacuation, told BNS.
The European Commission has not yet made a decision on the request, as a formal assessment is still pending. The evaluation process may take several months.
Lithuania is seeking reimbursement of approximately 75% of the flight’s cost – around 140,000 euros – a standard percentage typically covered by the EU in such cases.
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has assured the public that none of the nearly 100 evacuees flown from Aqaba, Jordan, to Vilnius will be required to pay for the operation.
“The hope is that the full requested amount will be funded, as Lithuania believes all necessary conditions for compensation have been met,” the NKVC said.
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Chapman Freeborn, the company that operated the flight, is part of the charter aviation business group Avia Solutions Group, which is controlled by businessman Gediminas Žiemelis. The selection of this company drew criticism from some politicians and members of the public.
Parliament Speaker Saulius Skvernelis said he could not understand the decision to work with the company, while Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys questioned why a firm “not considered trustworthy in strategic sectors” was deemed suitable to handle the evacuation of Lithuanian citizens.
Political backlash intensified after journalist and analyst Marius Laurinavičius, one of the evacuees who was in Israel on a trip funded by the Israeli government, was removed from the flight under unclear circumstances.
In 2015, a government commission blocked FL Technics – also indirectly controlled by Žiemelis – from expanding operations at Vilnius Airport, citing national security concerns.
Years later, the State Security Department confirmed that intelligence services possessed information casting doubt on the reliability of Avia Solutions Group.
The evacuation took place during an armed conflict between Israel and Iran. A cease-fire agreement was reached in June after 12 days of fighting.
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