Lithuania’s state run airport agency has cancelled a tender with Mitnija, the country’s largest contractor, for the development of a departure terminal at Vilnius Airport, citing the effect of Covid-19 on the aviation market.
Construction work on the 14,400 sq m, €25m development had been delayed by four months.
Lithuanian Airports will now re-tender the project with the aim of finding a replacement before the end of 2021.
Marius Gelzinis, Lithuanian Airports’ chief executive, said: "A new departures terminal is a very important project both for Vilnius Airport and in terms of the improvement of connectivity of the entire country. It will determine our competitiveness in the region in the context of recovering aviation.
"Therefore, after Mitnija has suspended its participation in the project, we are ready to continue preparatory works and immediately announce a search for a new contractor."
Julius Gendvilis, Mitnija’s chief executive, said: "We are upset and regret that we have to exit from the construction of the passenger terminal at Vilnius Airport. We really wanted this project and were seriously prepared for it.
"Unfortunately, but a break of more than four months costs too much: the team dedicated to the project did not work, we did not receive the expected income and profit, and could not commit to new customers."
Image: Mitnija’s design for the terminal (Lithuanian Airports/Mitnija)
