Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” announced a new route from Edinburgh to Vilnius (Lithuania), commencing 28 of March.

“The “Star1 Airlines” decision to launch direct flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius will definitely help to attract more tourists from Scotland to Lithuania. We are happy to cooperate with them marketing Lithuania to the Scottish travel trade and travel writers.” – states Augusta Jaudegyte, the Director of Lithuanian National Tourism Office in the UK.

“Our constantly expanding market share and growing passenger flow enables “Star1 Airlines” to establish itself as the only Lithuanian low-cost airline and further develop new routes and services. We believe that low fares of flights combined with the high quality of service and individual attention to each client offers us a strong competitive position”, Martynas Laivys, the head of the company said.

The airline does not charge for luggage – one suitcase not exceeding 20 kg will be carried free of charge. “This is particularly important to our customers who travel for business or leisure purposes. Free luggage and flight check-in are some of our advantages which bring down the costs for each traveller”, says the head of “Star1 Airlines”.

“Star1 Airlines” will launch its regular flights between Edinburgh and Vilnius from 28 March on Thursdays and Sundays (as of May 7 – on Fridays and Sundays). Fares to Edinburgh including all fees start from just 99 litas (£25). For booking, visit www.star1.aero or call +44 1293 874 986.
Apart from Edinburgh, “Star1 Airlines” also operates direct flights from Vilnius to London (Stansted), Milan (Malpensa) and restores summer season flights to Dublin and Girona (Barcelona).

Lithuanian low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” belongs to the Star Team Group of companies which also owns a tour operator “Star1 Holidays”. During the first six months of operations, the company has carried nearly 66 thousand of passengers in its scheduled and charter flights, while the period’s turnover amounted to 28 million litas.

Lithuanians and tourists enjoyed the exceptionally festive year of 2009. The country has been celebrating two  significant occasions during 2009 – the official 1,000th birthday of its name and capital city Vilnius the  European Capital of Culture combining to encourage foreign visitors to uncover more about the Baltic gem.

Major scheduled events for 2010 spring:

Kaziukas Fair (5-7 March)Vilnius
The festival is dedicated to St. Casimir the patron saint of Lithuanian born in the 17th century. It is one of  remarkable calendar festivals with deep traditions, each time presenting ingenious handworks, and having no rivals
in the surrounding areas. http://www.vilnius-events.lt/en/festivals/kaziukas-fair

20th International Jazz Festival Kaunas Jazz ’10 (April 29 – May 3)Kaunas
Every year Kaunas Jazz presents a wide and rich spectrum of modern jazz. Participants from Lithuanian and more  than 20 countries of the world have taken part in the festival. www.kaunasjazz.lt

Street Musicians Day (1 May)Vilnius, Klaip?da
On the first Saturday in May thousands of people go out to the streets to play music. Street Musician Day is the  event which unites all who speak the world’s most universal language – the language of music.
http://www.gatvesmuzika.lt/en/

15th International classical music Festival “Pažaislis Music Festival” (May 30 – August 29)Kaunas
The listeners of the most particular taste may find in the schedule of the festival something what interests them,  starting from the old music and finishing with jazz, from the subtle chamber music to the grand vocal instrumental  pieces, from the modern music premieres to the impressive pageants of Lithuanian dramaturgy in the surroundings of  Kaunas Castle. www.pazaislis.lt

Festival “Skamba Skamba Kankliai”(27-30 May)Vilnius
Annual international folklore festival introduces folklore groups from Europe and Asia. Chamber concerts and  performances at the city squares will present outstanding soloists and superb ensembles. Evenings of light singing
and glee songs, guest concerts, a song hour, dancing at night and various exhibitions will be offered to audiences  of various ages and backgrounds. www.etno.lt

Vilnius Festival 2010 (May 26 – June 10)Vilnius
Held every year since 1997, this festival features Classical music and invites world-famous performers. Each year  the festival has a different concept and presents both traditional and contemporary Lithuanian music, and offers a
platform for jazz and musical theatre. www.vilniusfestival.lt

Related articles by Zemanta

• Ryanair to Put $140 Million in Lithuanian Hub (abcnews.go.com)

Last week airBaltic announced a new route from London (Gatwick) to Vilnius, Lithuania.

“The airBaltic decision to relaunch direct flights between London and Vilnius will definitely help to attract more tourists from the UK to Lithuania. The airline is already established in the UK market as the major carrier to the Baltic Countries and we are happy to cooperate with them marketing Lithuania to the British travel trade and to British travel writers.” – states Augusta Jaudegyte, the Director of Lithuanian National Tourism Office in the UK.

Direct flights to London will commence on March 4 and will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Saturday. Additional flights on Mondays and Wednesdays will be introduced on March 27, increasing the frequency to four times a week.

Tero Taskila, Chief Commercial Officer of airBaltic: “Due to, its recently reduced charges, Vilnius airport has now become more attractive for airlines, and we are delighted to offer the new London-Vilnius service for leisure and business travellers.”

Neil Taylor, author of the Bradt Guide to the Baltic Cities: “It is good that an airline eager to work with the travel trade and with the travel media has returned to this route. airBaltic are bound to make a success of it and I am sure we can look forward to increased services from them between Britain and Lithuania”

Passengers will board a Boeing 737 aircraft for a flight of two hours and 55 minutes. One-way ticket prices start at around £23, including airport fees and service charges. A full schedule of flights can be found at www.airbaltic.com.

From April 29th 2010 „Star1 Airlines“ is increasing the number of
flights it operates each between London Stansted and Vilnius. By
adding an additional flight Thursdays the route from London Stansted
to Vilnius will now be operated six times per week with no flight on
Saturdays.

“The route between London and Vilnius is now well established with a
strong base of regular passengers from both the business community and
London-based Lithuanians.” said Jurate Rupsiene, Manager
Communication at „Star1 Airlines“.

The announcement of increased frequency comes in the week that a
competing airline has cancelled all its regular flights between
Vilnius and London Gatwick as of spring 2010.

As of April 29 „Star1 Airlines“ will fly to London Stansted airport
every day, except Saturday. This is already the second increase this
year – as of January 2nd the company increased the number of weekly
flights to London from 4 to 5. “Star1 Airlines” is a part of “Star
Team Group”, which also contains tour operator “Star1 Holidays”.
Currently the company operates direct scheduled flights from Vilnius
to London and Milan.

Lithuania is attending AITO Travel Expo on 12 January 2010 promising to make its second millennium one to remember.

Lithuania has been celebrating significant milestones during 2009 – with the official 1,000th birthday of its name and capital city Vilnius the European Capital of Culture combining to encourage foreign visitors to uncover more about the Baltic gem.

In 2010, the country will continue to play host to music and entertainment events. Highlights will include several jazz, theatre and film festivals (full details in release: “Spring – Summer 2010 Events”). While, Vilnius will continue to be a major getaway, in addition lesser-known cities and touring options will be promoted as they are a perfect introduction to Lithuania beyond the capital city. During AITO Travel Expo Lithuanian National Tourism Office will underline the upcoming press trips and tour operators fam trips for 2010 as well as the major tourism developments in the country.