Palanga International Airport
Encyclopedia
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 passengers passing through the airport has been increasing annually. After Lithuania became a member of EU
, passengers in 2004 increased more than 60% in comparison with that of 2003.
As of 2011, Palanga
's airport is the third largest in Lithuania after Vilnius International Airport
and Kaunas International Airport in terms of passenger traffic. Over two hundred people are employed by the airport facilities.
From 1940–1941, and again in 1945–1963, the airport was used by the Air Force of the Soviet Union. The new air strip and facilities at the current site first appeared during the post-World War II period. In 1963, the airport was converted into a civilian airport.
In 1991, Palanga Airport was re-registered as a national airport owned and run by the state. In 1997, the airport joined the major international aviation organization ACI (Airports Council International
).
Between 1994 and 1997, the passenger terminal was renovated. Passenger services and luggage handling was modernized to comply with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). Between 1994–1995, the flight control center was refurbished. In 1996–1997 the runway surface, and in 1998 the airport apron and taxiways were renovated.
Infrastructure improvements continued in 2007 with the construction of North terminal to expand the terminals' area by 2000 m2 as well as to comply with Schengen
border crossing regimen.
In June–October 2007 the runway 01/19 was expanded to 2280x45 meters along with installation of LIH (high intensity) lighting and embedding the runway centerline lights.
South terminal was built in the seventies and modernized in the late nineties. It has been serving as check-in area for all flights. The South terminal also houses airline offices and cafe/bar facilities.
The new North terminal opened on October 26, 2007. 2000 m2 (21520 sq. ft.) of space augment airport capabilities to serve arrivals and departures from and to non-Schengen zone
countries.
Because of one-level terminal buildings layout where both departures and arrivals are handled on the ground floor level, there are no jet bridges
at the airport. Passengers are transported to and from the aircraft by specialized shuttles.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located in the western part of 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...
near the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. 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 passengers passing through the airport has been increasing annually. After Lithuania became a member of EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, passengers in 2004 increased more than 60% in comparison with that of 2003.
As of 2011, 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:...
's airport is the third largest in Lithuania after 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:...
and Kaunas International Airport in terms of passenger traffic. Over two hundred people are employed by the airport facilities.
History
Palanga Airport started operations in 1937 at a site 7 kilometers East of the current terminal, near the Palanga-Darbenai road. The Lithuanian Air Force pilots were trained there. In 1939, the first scheduled airline service in Lithuania began operating on Kaunas - Palanga route.From 1940–1941, and again in 1945–1963, the airport was used by the Air Force of the Soviet Union. The new air strip and facilities at the current site first appeared during the post-World War II period. In 1963, the airport was converted into a civilian airport.
In 1991, Palanga Airport was re-registered as a national airport owned and run by the state. In 1997, the airport joined the major international aviation organization ACI (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...
).
Between 1994 and 1997, the passenger terminal was renovated. Passenger services and luggage handling was modernized to comply with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO). Between 1994–1995, the flight control center was refurbished. In 1996–1997 the runway surface, and in 1998 the airport apron and taxiways were renovated.
Infrastructure improvements continued in 2007 with the construction of North terminal to expand the terminals' area by 2000 m2 as well as to comply with Schengen
Schengen Area
The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985...
border crossing regimen.
In June–October 2007 the runway 01/19 was expanded to 2280x45 meters along with installation of LIH (high intensity) lighting and embedding the runway centerline lights.
Statistics
| Year | Total Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 45 660 |
| 2002 | 45 971 |
| 2003 | 46 666 |
| 2004 | 76 020 |
| 2005 | 94 000 |
| 2006 | 110 828 |
| 2007 | 93 379 |
| 2008 | 101 586 |
| 2009 | 104 602 |
| 2010 | 102 528 |
| 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 International Airport | 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 | 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 |
Terminals
Two adjacent terminals connected by short walkways and a transit area serve the airport.South terminal was built in the seventies and modernized in the late nineties. It has been serving as check-in area for all flights. The South terminal also houses airline offices and cafe/bar facilities.
The new North terminal opened on October 26, 2007. 2000 m2 (21520 sq. ft.) of space augment airport capabilities to serve arrivals and departures from and to non-Schengen zone
Schengen Area
The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985...
countries.
Because of one-level terminal buildings layout where both departures and arrivals are handled on the ground floor level, there are no jet bridges
Jetway
A jet bridge is an enclosed, movable connector which extends from an airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board and disembark without having to go outside...
at the airport. Passengers are transported to and from the aircraft by specialized shuttles.
Public transport access
- Motorway A13 connects with Southern PalangaPalangaPalanga 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:...
(7 km) and KlaipėdaKlaipedaKlaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
(32 km) - A public bus links the airport with Palanga coach bus station .
- Scandinavian Airlines passengers are serviced by shuttle bus operating between KlaipėdaKlaipedaKlaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
and the airport.