Lithuanian Airports has launched market consultations on an international public tender to be announced at the end of April to find a contractor for the expansion of the Kaunas Airport passenger terminal.
The expansion works are expected to start in the second half of 2023 and will last about two years. Once completed, the departures and arrivals areas of Kaunas Airport will be able to handle more than 800 passengers and up to six aircraft simultaneously.
“Kaunas Airport has not only returned to, but is already surpassing its pre-pandemic passenger volumes,” said Arnas Dūmanas, Director of the Operations and Infrastructure Department, Lithuanian Airports. “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.”
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.
Kaunas Airport will renovate and expand both arrival and departure areas for passengers. This will require the dismantling of the eastern and western façades 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, and additional areas for passengers to wait for their flights, to dine and to shop. The aim is to increase efficiency and 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,” said Dūmanas. “According to current estimates, the total area of the terminal should increase by about 3,500sqm 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.”