OREANDA-NEWS. Ukraine International Airlines is expanding its operation in Lithuania with the launch of flights from Vilnius to Odessa starting from 26 June. Flights to the city of Ukraine located on the coast of the Black Sea will be operated twice a week – on Fridays and Sundays until 13 September.

“Odessa is a Black Sea resort attracting tourists by its architecture, culture, tasty food and beaches. We hope that a direct flight from Vilnius will help Lithuanians to discover another holiday destination,” said Indr? Baltru?aitien?, Head of Communications and Marketing at Lithuanian Airports.

On the occasion of the first flight, the passengers flying to Odessa were greeted by the Head of Airport Network at Lithuanian Airports Eugenijus Kazili?nas, Ambassador of Ukraine Valerii Zhovtenko and President of the Lithuanian Chamber of Tourism ?ydr? Gavelien?.

Until now Ukraine International Airlines has only offered flights from Vilnius to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, opening broad possibilities of connecting flights to the US, Asia and the Near East. In 2014 the airline handled over 75.5 thousand passengers in Lithuania; this year, the passenger traffic is 30 per cent higher compared to the same period last year.

The flight to Odessa will last 1 hour and 40 minutes. The plane will take off from Vilnius Airport on Fridays and Sundays at 22.00 and will come back on early Saturday and Monday mornings. The fares start from EUR 47 (including airline charges; additional service charges may apply).