Kaunas Airport
Encyclopedia
Kaunas International Airport , which serves Kaunas
, Lithuania
is the second busiest civil airport in Lithuania after Vilnius airport
and the fourth busiest in the Baltic states
. Kaunas Airport is the fastest growing airport in the Baltic states
in 2009 and 2010. The airport mainly serves international passenger and cargo flights and is located in Karmėlava
, 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of the Kaunas city centre. Kaunas Airport can handle planes up to the size of a Boeing 747
, Antonov An-124
or similar jets. On the 4th of May 2010 low-cost airline
Ryanair
opened a base at Kaunas Airport, and is the largest airline at the airport.
, the other airport near Kaunas. In 1991, after Lithuania's independence, it gained the status of an international airport
. In 1996 it became a member of Airports Council International
(ACI) and it began to take part in the activities of the "Lithuanian Airports" association.
Kaunas airport was used by aircraft YAK-40
, and YAK-42
of local Aeroflot
branch since 1988. The flight range was moderate and there were some scheduled flights from Kaunas
to Kiev
, Kharkiv
, Moscow
, Odessa
, Simferopol
, and Šiauliai
. Regional airline Air Lithuania
based in Kaunas operated scheduled and charter flights from Kaunas to Budapest
, Billund
, Hamburg
, Malmö
, and Oslo
from 1993 till 2004.
in 1988, it was only a small terminal building for passengers. A new terminal for passengers (3 floors, 7,573 meters2, 12 modern check-in
desks) was opened in March 2008. It was designed to handle up to 800 thousand passengers per year and comply with the requirements of the Schengen agreement
. Further terminal extension is planned up to 15,000 meters2 with 3 million annual passenger throughput.
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
is the second busiest civil airport in Lithuania after Vilnius airport
Vilnius International Airport
Vilnius International Airport is the largest civil airport in Lithuania. It is located south of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It began operations in 1944. The old terminal was built in 1954.- History:...
and the fourth busiest in the Baltic states
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
. Kaunas Airport is the fastest growing airport in the Baltic states
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
in 2009 and 2010. The airport mainly serves international passenger and cargo flights and is located in Karmėlava
Karmėlava
Karmėlava is a small town in Kaunas County in central Lithuania. As of 2001 it had a population of 2886. The town of Karmėlava is located north east of Kaunas and near the second busiest civil Kaunas International Airport in Lithuania.-History:...
, 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of the Kaunas city centre. Kaunas Airport can handle planes up to the size of a Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
, Antonov An-124
Antonov An-124
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a strategic airlift jet aircraft. It was designed by the Ukrainian SSR's Antonov design bureau, then part of the Soviet Union. It is the world's largest ever serially-manufactured cargo airplane and world's second largest operating cargo aircraft...
or similar jets. On the 4th of May 2010 low-cost airline
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
Ryanair
Ryanair
Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport....
opened a base at Kaunas Airport, and is the largest airline at the airport.
History
Kaunas International Airport started operations in 1988 when airport activities were moved from S. Darius and S. Girėnas AirportS. Darius and S. Girenas Airport
S. Darius and S. Girėnas Airport , also known as Aleksotas Airport , is a small airport located in Aleksotas, close to the Europa Avenue, only 3 kilometres away from the Kaunas city centre in Lithuania.S. Darius and S...
, the other airport near Kaunas. In 1991, after Lithuania's independence, it gained the status of an international airport
International airport
An international airport is any airport that can accommodate flights from other countries and are typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle these flights to and from other countries...
. In 1996 it became a member of Airports Council International
Airports Council International
Airports Council International is the association of the world’s airports. It is a non profit organization, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations...
(ACI) and it began to take part in the activities of the "Lithuanian Airports" association.
Kaunas airport was used by aircraft YAK-40
Yakovlev Yak-40
The Yakovlev Yak-40 is a small, three-engined airliner that is often called the first regional jet transport aircraft...
, and YAK-42
Yakovlev Yak-42
The Yakovlev Yak-42 is a 100/120-seat three-engined mid-range passenger jet. It was designed as a replacement for several obsolete Aeroflot jets as a mid-range passenger jet...
of local Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
branch since 1988. The flight range was moderate and there were some scheduled flights from Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
to Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Kharkiv
Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
, Simferopol
Simferopol
-Russian Empire and Civil War:The city was renamed Simferopol in 1784 after the annexation of the Crimean Khanate to the Russian Empire by Catherine II of Russia. The name Simferopol is derived from the Greek, Συμφερόπολις , translated as "the city of usefulness." In 1802, Simferopol became the...
, and Šiauliai
Šiauliai
Šiauliai , is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,900. It is the capital of Šiauliai County. Unofficially, the city is the capital of Northern Lithuania.-Names:...
. Regional airline Air Lithuania
Air Lithuania
Air Lithuania was a regional airline based in Kaunas in Lithuania. It operated scheduled and charter flights, provided cargo services and aircraft rental...
based in Kaunas operated scheduled and charter flights from Kaunas to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Billund
Billund, Denmark
Billund is the second largest town in Billund Municipality, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark with a population of 6,139 .-Overview:...
, Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
, and Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
from 1993 till 2004.
Terminal building
At the time of moving Kaunas airport to its new location in KarmėlavaKarmėlava
Karmėlava is a small town in Kaunas County in central Lithuania. As of 2001 it had a population of 2886. The town of Karmėlava is located north east of Kaunas and near the second busiest civil Kaunas International Airport in Lithuania.-History:...
in 1988, it was only a small terminal building for passengers. A new terminal for passengers (3 floors, 7,573 meters2, 12 modern check-in
Check-in
Check-in is the process of announcing your arrival at a hotel, airport, sea port or social network service.-Airlines and airports :Check-in desks are found in the majority of commercial airports. Their main function is to take in luggage that passengers wish to, or are required to, place within the...
desks) was opened in March 2008. It was designed to handle up to 800 thousand passengers per year and comply with the requirements of the Schengen agreement
Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on 14 June 1985 near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community. It was supplemented by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement 5 years later...
. Further terminal extension is planned up to 15,000 meters2 with 3 million annual passenger throughput.
Technical information
- Located 15 km (9.3 mi) north-east from Kaunas CenterCentras (Kaunas)Centras is an elderate in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, based on two neighbourhoods of Kaunas - the Old City and the New City. It lies at the confluence of two major Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris....
. Elevation is 78 meters above sea level.
- Lighting
- Approach lights: length 900 meters, intensity LIH.
- Runway end lights: 300 meters, Red.
- Runway Category: 4E
- Runway strengthPavement Classification NumberThe Pavement Classification Number is an International Civil Aviation Organization standard used in combination with the Aircraft Classification Number to indicate the strength of a runway, taxiway or airport ramp...
: PCN 50 F/B/X/T - ILSInstrument Landing SystemAn instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
Category: CAT I - Category for fire-fighting: CAT 7
- Airport rampAirport rampThe airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
: 124,477 m2, 15 parking stands - RunwayRunwayAccording to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
length 3,250 meters (10,663 ft), wide 45 meters (147,6 ft).
- Time zone is +2 (subject to daylight saving timeDaylight saving timeDaylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
in summer). Terminal space is 7 573 m2. Available fuel are JET A-1Jet fuelJet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is clear to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1 which are produced to a standardized international specification...
, AVGAS 100LLAvgasAvgas is an aviation fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft. Avgas is distinguished from mogas , which is the everyday gasoline used in cars and some non-commercial light aircraft...
.
Airlines and destinations
Cargo airlines
Traffic statistics
| Year | Total Passengers | Aircraft movements | Total Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 19,202 | 4,190 | 6,771 |
| 2001 | 20,137 | 4,409 | 9,517 |
| 2002 | 19,891 | 3,957 | 8,478 |
| 2003 | 21,732 | 4,077 | 6,673 |
| 2004 | 27,113 | 4,832 | 3,569 |
| 2005 | 77,350 | 4,611 | 4,308 |
| 2006 | 248,228 | 4,865 | 6,862 |
| 2007 | 390,881 | 6,089 | 6,816 |
| 2008 | 410,000 | 5,698 | 3,400 |
| 2009 | 456,698 | 6,027 | 2,113 |
| 2010 | 809,732 | 8,753 | 4,449 |
| Rank | City | Airport | Passengers (2010) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  RigaRiga Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,... |
Riga International Airport Riga International Airport -Cargo airlines:*DHL Express*Inversija*RAF-Avia*Sprintair*TNT NV*Transavibaltika*UPS-Traffic statistics:Riga International Airport is one of three notable airports in Latvia. The other two are Liepāja International Airport and Ventspils Airport. Riga International Airport's biggest air carrier is... |
4,663,692 |
| 2. |  TallinnTallinn Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list... |
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport | 1,384,831 |
| 3. |  VilniusVilnius Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County... |
Vilnius International Airport Vilnius International Airport Vilnius International Airport is the largest civil airport in Lithuania. It is located south of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It began operations in 1944. The old terminal was built in 1954.- History:... |
1,373,859 |
| 4. | Kaunas Kaunas Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation... |
Kaunas Airport Kaunas Airport Kaunas International Airport , which serves Kaunas, Lithuania is the second busiest civil airport in Lithuania after Vilnius airport and the fourth busiest in the Baltic states. Kaunas Airport is the fastest growing airport in the Baltic states in 2009 and 2010... |
809,732 |
| 5. | Palanga Palanga Palanga and beautiful sand dunes. Officially Palanga has the status of a city municipality and includes Šventoji, Nemirseta, Būtingė and other settlements, which are considered as part of the city of Palanga.-Legend:... |
Palanga International Airport Palanga International Airport Palanga International Airport is an international airport located in the western part of Lithuania near the Baltic Sea. The airport focuses on servicing short and mid-range routes. The facility expansion completed in 2007 has made long-range route servicing a possibility. Since 1993, the number of... |
102,528 |
| 6 | | Tartu Tartu Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the... |
Tartu Airport Tartu Airport Tartu Airport is south southwest of the city centre of Tartu in Estonia, near the Tartu–Võru highway. It is also called Ülenurme Airport due to its proximity to the village of Ülenurme.... |
23,504 |
| 7. | Kuressaare Kuressaare Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706 Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706... |
Kuressaare Airport Kuressaare Airport Kuressaare Airport is an airport in Estonia. The airport is situated 3 km from the town of Kuressaare on Saaremaa island.The first runway was built in the last half of the 1930s. The airport was opened officially on 6 March 1945. The air traffic increased during the next years, and between... |
19,702 |
| 8. | Kärdla Kärdla Kärdla is the largest town on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa and the capital of Hiiu County.-Geography:Kärdla is located on the north-eastern coast of Hiiumaa, by the Gulf of Tareste . Southeast of the town is the Kärdla meteorite crater, which is 455 million years old.Several small rivers flow... |
Kärdla Airport Kärdla Airport Kärdla Airport is an airport in Estonia. The airport is situated 7 km east of the town of Kärdla on Hiiumaa island.The airport has an asphalt runway of 1520 meters length and 30 meters width. The directions are 14 and 32. The runway was upgraded in 1998.Kärdla Airport opened in 1963... |
10,551 |
| 9. | Pärnu Pärnu Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga... |
Pärnu Airport Pärnu Airport Pärnu Airport is an airport in Estonia. The airport is situated 4 km from the city of Pärnu.In October 1937 Pärnu town council designated an area of 0.28 km² for the building of an airport. Operations at the new airport began in 1939.... |
5,148 |
Bus
- To Kaunas City CentreCentras (Kaunas)Centras is an elderate in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, based on two neighbourhoods of Kaunas - the Old City and the New City. It lies at the confluence of two major Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris....
- bus number 29 from 5AM to 0:30 AM - To Vilnius City
- To Klaipėda City
- To Riga City Center and Riga International Airport. There are shuttle bus connection between Kaunas airport and Latvian Capital Riga. This bus is operated by Easy Travel Latvia,ltd. The Service name is flyBus (www.flybus.lv). Stops on the route are in Latvian city of Bauska, Riga City Center and Riga International Airport. One-way ticket cost EUR 15.
Taxi
- Some taxi companies operate from Kaunas Airport. Taxis take around 25 minutes to get to the city centre. Long and short term parking are available.
Motorway
- Due to its excellent location in the centre of the Lithuania, Kaunas Airport is easily accessible via nearby A6 highway (Lithuania)A6 highway (Lithuania)The A6 highway is a highway in Lithuania . It runs from Kaunas to the Latvia border, near Zarasai. From there - road continues to Daugavpils. The length of the road is 185.40 km....
/E262European route E262European route E 262 is a road part of the International E-road network. It begins in Kaunas, Lithuania and ends in Ostrov, Pskov Oblast, Russia. The section in Lithuania from Kaunas to the Latvia border, near Zarasai is named after A6 highway....
, which connects to the other main freeways in Lithuania A1 motorway (Lithuania)A1 highway (Lithuania)The A1 Highway is a highway in Lithuania . It connects the capital city of Vilnius with the port city of Klaipėda, via the second largest city, Kaunas. Its length is over , making it the longest highway in Lithuania....
and Via Baltica (E67).