Airport infrastructure in Lithuania: Commission approves State aid to airports of Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga

The European Commission has today decided not to raise any objections to the public financing of infrastructure developments at three Lithuanian airports – Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga International Airports. The measure is aimed at improving the airport infrastructure and therefore at enhancing access and connectivity as well as the social and economic development of Lithuania.

The main objective of the project is to improve the facilities of the three airports and to guarantee an appropriate infrastructure reflecting growing demand. The cost of the infrastructure projects is LTL 417 million (€121 million) of which the airports themselves will provide some 53%. The remainder will be financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the European Cohesion Fund and national funding.

The Commission found that the proposed measures are in line with the Community rules on State aid 1 as the financing is set to achieve a clear objective of general interest without leading to undue distortion of the market. The whole of the Republic of Lithuania is eligible for assistance under European rules on regional development.