At the moment, Vilnius Airport’s commercial area is roughly 3,300 square metres (warehouses, technical facilities, and offices not included). In addition to the 11 other retail and service establishments, there are 6 Duty Free stores.
The Lithuanian capital’s Vilnius Airport is catching up to pre-pandemic records and anticipates continued steady expansion. The biggest civil airport in Lithuania is currently building a new departure terminal, which should be finished in 2025. The terminal will greatly enhance commercial space for merchants, caterers, and other service providers in addition to increasing the airport’s capacity by more than 14,000 square metres.
A record 5 million passengers passed through Vilnius Airport in 2019, and in 2022, following the epidemic, travellers are travelling once more; 3.9 million people travelled to and from Vilnius last year. Forecasts from Lithuanian Airports state that during the following ten years, the number of travellers will increase to about 7.5 million annually.
“Based on our projections, the number of passengers at Vilnius Airport is anticipated to increase on average by around 8% annually. Gintar Norvilait-Tautevi, chief commercial officer of Lithuanian Airports, says, “We are geared up for this and growing to be able to meet the needs of our passengers and to offer them more high-quality places to shop, eat delicious and speedy meals, and receive other services that are pertinent to travellers.
The amount of commercial space will increase by 1.5 times.
At the moment, Vilnius Airport’s commercial area is roughly 3,300 square metres (warehouses, technical facilities, and offices not included). In addition to the 11 other retail and service establishments, there are 6 Duty Free stores.
The commercial area will rise to 5,000 square metres when the current infrastructure is rebuilt and connected to the new departure terminal. This will include up to 1.9 thousand square metres of Duty Free stores. Twelve more retail and service establishments, including a pharmacy and a service for packing bags, will be available, and a comparable space will be set aside for cafes and restaurants. Lithuanian Airports will also allow market participants from outside to take part in the bids; for instance, the Duty Free tenders will only be open to enterprises from abroad.
“Two sizable Duty Free outlets are in the works for the airport. Instead of having numerous tiny stores, a huge space for one is considerably more appealing. The merchant may utilise it more effectively, customise it, and incorporate more intriguing, original ideas. According to Norvilait-Tautevi, passengers also like shops with more space.
Planned are 13 eateries and cafés
There will be 13 more dining options at Vilnius Airport than the current nine. The goal is to accommodate all of the passengers’ wants; some are in a rush and want something cheap and quick to eat, while others have more time and prefer scrumptious, maybe upscale, fare.
“We want to be able to provide passengers with a wide selection of food and beverages in Vilnius, so that all visitors may find what they desire. The Chief Commercial Officer of Lithuanian Airports adds, “We also anticipate that there will be individuals prepared to develop a brand or restaurant concept just for our airport.
The first of the anticipated 2024 bids for the supply of commerce and services in commercial spaces at Vilnius Airport is anticipated to be released at the start of the year. The rehabilitation process will determine the timetable, but it is anticipated that the first stores will open in early 2025 and that all commercial spaces will be occupied and operating within a year or two.
Source: traveldailynews