Upcoming expansion at Kaunas Airport forecasts big changes

The predicted visualisation of Kuanas Airport expansion.

Lithuanian Airports are launching market consultations on an international public tender in hopes of expanding the Kaunas Airport passenger terminal. They will make announcements at the end of April to find a contractor, with works expected to start in the latter half of 2023 until 2025. Once completed, the expansion will enable Kaunas Airport to handle more than 800 passengers and 6 aircrafts, simultaneously. 

“Kaunas Airport has not only returned to, but is already surpassing its pre-pandemic passenger volumes. Given the increasing passenger flows and growing passenger needs, the development and technological modernisation of Kaunas Airport is essential. We want this to happen as soon as possible, so we are launching market consultations on the procurement of contract works. If everything goes according to plan, we will announce the international public procurement at the end of April, and the contract could be signed and preparatory works could start in the second half of this year,” said Arnas Dūmanas, Director of the Operations and Infrastructure Department of Lithuanian Airports.

During the market consultation phase, Lithuanian Airports will consult with potential bidders on the tender conditions, their feasibility and the details of the technical specification. Mr A.Dūmanas added that foreign contracting companies will also be invited to take part in the public procurement.

Terminal expansion will not slow down airport operations

Kaunas Airport will renovate and expand both arrival and departure areas for passengers. This will require the dismantling of the eastern and western façades (parts of the façade) and the additional building of two new extensions on the sides.

Changes and innovations are planned on all three floors of the terminal, ranging from an expanded baggage reclaim area, a larger Schengen and non-Schengen arrival area, to additional areas for passengers to wait for their flights, to dine and shop. The aim is to make aviation services more efficient and to increase the airport’s revenues from aviation and non-aviation activities.

“The expansion of Kaunas Airport’s passenger terminal is expected to be completed in the middle or second half of 2025. According to current estimates, the total area of the terminal should increase by about 3,500 sq. metres and the airport will be able to handle up to six passenger flights per hour. For comparison, Kaunas Airport is currently able to handle four passenger flights at the same time,” commented Dūmanas.

During the expansion works, Kaunas Airport will operate in normal mode and passengers should not experience any inconvenience.

Expansion of apron capacity

In parallel with the passenger terminal expansion project, Kaunas Airport is planning to expand the northern apron by creating additional aircraft parking and engine testing areas. Lithuanian Airports has also already launched a market consultation with market participants for this project, for which a building permit has already been obtained. The public procurement for the apron expansion is planned to be launched at a similar time as the selection of the terminal expansion contractor.

“The apron expansion project is not only important for the airport’s operations, but also for the development of aircraft handling activities in particular. Kaunas Airport is one of the regional leaders in this field, so the aim is to maintain and strengthen the handling capacity,” emphasised Dūmanas.

The project will create additional aircraft parking and engine testing areas – after the completion of the contract works, the number of aircraft parking spaces at Kaunas Airport should increase by more than 50%. The apron of Kaunas Airport will be expanded in the northern part, where hangars for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities are currently located. The new apron will have an area of more than 35,000 sq. meters.