OREANDA-NEWS. May 17, 2012. Based on the data published by European Region of Airports Council International (ACI Europe) on the European airports’ performance in the first quarter of this year, Vilnius International Airport remained in the 3rd position with a passenger growth of 63.8 percent. ACI Europe assesses the operation performance of 173 European airports, reported the press-centre of VIA.

In the first quarter of this year Vilnius International Airport remained in the third position in the category of small airports servicing up to 5 million passengers per year as well as in the general report. According to ACI, growth in the number of passengers in Vilnius International Airport in January 2012 reached 65.3 per cent, in February – 70 percent and 56.2 percent in March. Accordingly, in their respective groups, compared to the same period last year, the best first quarter results in the numbers of serviced passengers were demonstrated by Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a growth in the number of passengers of 19.9 percent, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport with a growth of 20.7 percent and Budapest Airport – 15.8 percent. Total average growth in the number of passengers in European airports in the first quarter of this year reached 3.5 percent.

“Exceptionally good performance of Vilnius International Airport shows that Lithuania is recovering from the economic recession. We expect Vilnius International Airport to achieve all goals that have been set this year and reach a 25 percent of the total average growth in the number of passengers as well as good annual financial performance results,” Minister of Transport and Communications Eligijus Masiulis commented on the data published by ACI.

Vilnius International Airport became a member of ACI Europe in 1992. The organisation unites a total of 577 member representing 1,689 airports in 179 countries. ACI members comprise 90 percent of the European airport market.

By implementing of ACI Europe established airports’ operation standards, Vilnius International Airport seeks to become advanced and modern airport. Vilnius International Airport experts are continuously working in ACI Europe committees: Policy, Aviation Security, Economics, Technology and Operation Security. In order to develop cooperation opportunities with European airports and to perform ACI Europe member’s obligations, 16-17 April this year, Vilnius International Airport, at its own initiative, held the 73rd European Region of Airports Council International Policy Committee Meeting in Vilnius. Aviation Security Committee Meeting is held on 10–11 May and the Technology and Operation Security – on 26–29 September.