Vilnius has been selected to host Routes Europe 2028, bringing Europe’s leading route development forum to Lithuania following a record-breaking year for Lithuanian Airports. The 21st edition of the event will be hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the Vilnius and Kaunas City Municipalities, and Lithuanian Airports, with support from national tourism and investment agencies Go Vilnius, Travel Lithuania, and Kaunas IN. The event will bring together senior representatives from airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and industry suppliers from more than 55 countries. “Hosting Routes Europe 2028 is a major recognition of Lithuania’s growing aviation sector and the country’s potential. More than 1,000 aviation decision-makers, including representatives of more than 120 airlines, will gather in Lithuania. For us, this is a unique opportunity to engage directly with the people shaping Europe’s air connectivity and attract new airlines, open new routes and strengthen existing connections. We must make the most of this opportunity, as better air connectivity is essential for the growth of aviation, tourism and investment in Lithuania,” says Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications. Organised annually, Routes Europe is the region’s premier air service development forum, providing a platform for strategic discussions and partnerships that shape the future of air connectivity across the continent. More than 120 airlines are expected to be represented by senior network planning executives. Edvinas Grikšas, Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, highlights the importance of Routes Europe 2028 for strengthening Lithuania’s international visibility and connectivity: “Hosting Routes Europe 2028 in Vilnius is a great opportunity to strengthen Lithuania’s position as an attractive destination for both tourism and business. The event will bring together aviation and tourism representatives from more than 55 countries, giving us a unique opportunity to showcase Lithuania to an international audience while driving the development of new air routes and better connectivity.” Infrastructure investment has been a cornerstone of Lithuanian Airports’ growth strategy. In February 2025, Vilnius Airport opened a new departure terminal. That investment is already being matched by sustained demand. In 2025, Lithuanian Airports handled a record 7.16 million passengers – an 8.3% increase year-on-year – reclaiming the leading position among the Baltic States by passenger volumes after two decades. Growth has continued into 2026, with passenger traffic repeatedly reaching new monthly records. The next major step is already underway. A new arrivals terminal at Vilnius Airport, designed by the world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, is due to open in 2028. The project will create a seamless arrival experience while bringing the distinctive vision of one of the world’s most recognisable architectural practices to Lithuania’s main international gateway. The investment has helped support continued network growth, with airlines increasing frequencies on existing routes and new carriers entering the Lithuanian market, including flydubai and Arkia. “Bringing Routes Europe to Lithuania is an important milestone for Lithuanian Airports and a strong recognition of the progress our aviation market has made. We have invested significantly in modernising our airports, expanding capacity and preparing for future growth. In 2028, we will have the opportunity to show the European aviation community first-hand what Lithuania, and its airports have to offer. Just as importantly, Routes Europe will help us deepen relationships with our industry partners and build momentum that lasts well beyond the event itself,” says Gintarė Norvilaitė-Tautevičė, Interim CEO of Lithuanian Airports. Lithuania’s growing appeal as both a leisure and business destination is supporting increased demand for air connectivity. Foreign visitor arrivals rose by 4.4% in 2025, driven by a diverse tourism offering spanning cultural heritage, wellness, and nature-based experiences. As the country continues to prioritise sustainable tourism growth, Routes Europe will provide an opportunity to highlight Vilnius and Lithuania to the aviation industry’s key decision-makers. “Hosting Routes Europe 2028 is a great opportunity for Vilnius to bring together the people shaping the future of air connectivity in Europe. Vilnius may be a compact capital, but that is one of its strengths – distances are short, access is easy and things move fast, while our ambitions are anything but small. Better connections mean more opportunities for our city, its businesses and visitors, and we look forward to showing the aviation community what Vilnius has to offer.” says Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius. As part of Lithuania’s wider ambition to strengthen international connectivity and highlight the country beyond its capital, Kaunas will also play a role in welcoming the Routes Europe community in 2028. “Over the past decade, Kaunas has worked consistently to become a more accessible, welcoming, and internationally connected city. We have invested in modern infrastructure, improved the urban environment, and created a city that is ready to welcome people and ideas from around the world. Routes Europe 2028 is an important recognition of this progress and an opportunity to take the next step – to build new partnerships, strengthen Kaunas’ international profile and create lasting value for the city, its people and Lithuania as a whole.” says Visvaldas Matijošaitis, Mayor of Kaunas. Steven Small, VP of Air Transport Events, Informa, said: “Routes Europe 2028 will come at the perfect time for Vilnius. With its dynamic economy, modern infrastructure and impressive growth trajectory, Vilnius will provide the perfect backdrop for decision makers to define future air connectivity across Europe and beyond.” Small added: “The city has established itself as a prominent venue for international events, conferences, and summits. With independent analysis demonstrating that previous host destinations experience a 6.9% boost in network growth in relation to comparator airports, Routes Europe will form an important pillar within Lithuania’s tourism growth strategy.”
