Lithuania’s transport minister said Tuesday the government could fund new flights to London Heathrow if an airline steps forward, after a decision to discontinue subsidised direct services between Vilnius and London City Airport.
“It is regrettable that the flight to London City Airport has been discontinued, but funding is planned for other routes, such as to London Heathrow,” Juras Taminskas said during a meeting with lawmakers.
“If there are airlines willing to operate the route. It does not depend only on us, but also on the airlines. The funds will be found,” he added.
The decision follows an agreement between Lithuanian Airports and LOT Polish Airlines to end direct flights between Vilnius and London City Airport from April.
Lithuanian Airports CEO Simonas Bartkus has said the route’s performance declined last year, with aircraft occupancy averaging 67.6%. Unofficial estimates cited by BNS suggest the route generated annual losses of several million euros.
The move has drawn criticism from Investors Forum, which represents foreign investors. The group said the decision weakens Lithuania’s international competitiveness and runs counter to efforts to position the country as a destination for high value-added investment.
LOT launched flights to London City in 2019, and in 2023 signed an agreement with Lithuanian Airports to continue operating the route.
The route had been supported under a rare European Union exemption allowing state aid for flights deemed strategically important within the bloc. However, following the Brexit, it was no longer possible to continue funding flights between Vilnius and London City under that model.
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