Fast-expanding Turkish Airlines will commence flights from Istanbul to the capital of Lithuania on June 11, 2013.
“We are delighted to have such a big and well-known company in Vilnius. We hope that this is only a beginning and it shall introduce more routes,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Rimantas Sinkevičius. The Minister hopes that the company’s Turkish Airlines decision will set an example to other big national carriers and will encourage launching new flights from Lithuanian airports.
During the early stages of activity, the company intends to service two Baltic capitals with one flight – Tallinn and Vilnius. Turkish Airlines aircraft will depart from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Tallinn, then from Tallinn – to Vilnius and from there will fly directly to Istanbul.
Flights to Istanbul are scheduled 3 times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Departure time from Istanbul – at 11 am, arrival to Tallinn – at 2.20 pm. Departure from Tallinn – at 3.20 pm, arrival to Vilnius – at 4.45 pm. Departure from Vilnius to Istanbul – at 5.45 pm.
The majority of long distance routes from Istanbul Ataturk airport are operated during the night, thus, this schedule is especially convenient for those traveling to far-flung places with connecting flights. Taking into account current passenger flows, the company is to use Airbus A319 or Airbus A320 aircrafts for their flights.
Turkish Airlines is the national Turkish carrier performing over 200 international and local flights.