LITHUANIA. Vilnius Airport operator Lithuanian Airports has appointed Swissport International to operate its new business lounge under an eight-year agreement. Branded Aspire, it will mark a significant upgrade in the Lithuania gateway’s commercial and passenger service offer.
The pay-per-use lounge will open in mid-2026 within the airport’s reconstructed terminal area, doubling the size of the current facility to 750sq m with seating for around 150 guests.
The partnership follows the opening of Vilnius Airport’s new departures terminal, which has freed up legacy terminal areas for redevelopment.
These spaces will be remodelled to enhance passenger flow, expand commercial zones and house the new Aspire lounge.
Planned features include dedicated work, relaxation and dining zones, shower facilities, an upgraded children’s area and a separate smoking room.
Swissport Aspire was selected after the release of an international tender last year (see our story here).
According to Lithuanian Airports Commercial Department Director Gintarė Norvilaitė-Tautevičė, market interest was strong, which she said reflects Vilnius Airport’s rising profile among aviation service providers.
Swissport’s proposal stood out for its operational experience, management processes and lounge vision, Norvilaitė-Tautevičė added.
The new agreement marks a strategic shift, as Vilnius Airport previously operated its business lounge in-house.
The state-owned airport operator said the new model aims to leverage a private operator’s expertise and economies of scale, and “allow the implementation of best global practices, creating a passenger experience that meets the high international standards expected by frequent travellers”.
Norvilaitė-Tautevičė commented, “As the old terminals of the capital’s airport are being reconstructed, the new business lounge will open in a completely renewed area – twice the size of the current one – and will offer a full range of high-quality services.
“The transformation will be ensured by Swissport’s extensive experience of managing airport business lounges across many countries.”
Swissport EMEA CEO Dirk Goovaerts said, “With over three decades of experience operating lounges across the world, we pride ourselves on our ability to curate an industry-leading and elevated experience for our guests.
“This is an exciting time to be working with Vilnius Airport as it undergoes modernisation and expansion, and we look forward to delivering a new lounge that will showcase the best of Lithuanian culture, design and gastronomy.”
Swissport operates at more than 280 airports worldwide, providing ground services, cargo handling and lounge management.
Its Aspire network comprises over 80 lounges in 19 countries, including at Copenhagen, London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. ✈
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