flyLAL predicts flows of passengers to decrease significantly

In the period of 11 months of this year, flyLAL carried nearly 54% more passengers than during the same period in the last year.

At the same time observing market trends in Lithuanian and global aviation, flyLAL forecasts rather drastic market decrease, which can reach 30%.


flyLAL CEO Vytautas Kaikaris, thinks, “Trends of economic slowdown include aviation market as well. In this November, 6.4% growth of flyLAL passengers' number was reached, if compared with November in the last year. But this gross flow of Vilnius airport passengers dropped down by over 11% in November, if compared with the same month in 2007. In December and beginning of the next year, passengers’ flow is likely to decrease by about 20-30% in Vilnius airport.”

The head of the national air company of Lithuania noted that the main reasons determining such decrease in passengers’ number include economic slowdown and declining financial power of the population.

According to Mr. Kaikaris, every autumn, especially in November, the number of passengers tends to decrease, but if in last November about 13% less passengers travelled through Vilnius airport if compared with the number of passengers in October, then this year – this figure is already 30% lower. flyLAL forecasts decrease of the number of passengers in Vilnius airport by one third in this winter season, if compared with the previous winter season. The same trend prevails throughout Europe, and it will affect Lithuania as well.

The head of flyLAL believes that even with Vilnius being the European Capital of Culture, fewer travellers than expected will visit the city. Air companies all over Europe and world receive much less travellers – this will also determine smaller flow of tourists to Lithuania.



(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 15-Dec-08