During NATO summit in Lithuania on 11-12 of July, considering the NATO safety requirements, all flights will be forbidden within 30 km air space from Litexpo Exhibition Hall. The flights in Vilnius will be limited a little more than 24-hours – from 11 July, 12.00 p.m. to 12 July, 02.00 p.m.
According to the data of the Lithuanian Airports, more than 100 flights from Vilnius will be cancelled during this 26-hour limitation. Airlines will inform passengers about planned cancellation of flights in advance.
It is noted that due to higher aircraft traffic than regularly and loading of Vilnius and Kaunas Airports air traffic disturbances and delays are also possible. Whenever possible, it is recommended not to choose flights to Vilnius and Kaunas as well as from Vilnius and Kaunas from 11 July, 12.00 p.m. to 12 July, 02.00 p.m.
We would also like to bring to your notice that even more air traffic limitations above the territory of Lithuania will be imposed on 7-13 July. Flights of small aircrafts, balloons and drones will also be forbidden.
The forthcoming NATO summit in Lithuania is arranged for the first time. It will be the biggest event in the history of Lithuania, where we hope to see representatives of more than 40-50 delegations of foreign states (up to 3000 guests) and approximately 2000 representatives of non-governmental organizations and international media.
The Lithuanian Airports would like to apologize for the possible inconvenience and invite passengers, who have purchased flight tickets for aforementioned days of July, to contact airlines or a tour operator and communicate directly. Airline contacts may be found here.
F.A.Q.
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Regulation (EU) 261/200411 establishes compensation in case of the flight cancellation if the cause of the cancellation is not special circumstances.
If the passenger is informed of cancellation of the flight more than 14 days before departure or the cause of the flight cancellation is special circumstances (for example, closure of air space). In such a case the compensation to the passenger is not provided.
1 - Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91
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In case of cancellation of the flight, the air carrier has to offer to passengers to select between reimbursement of the whole amount of money paid for the ticket and re-routing to the final destination with similar trip conditions. Is the passenger chooses not to fly but receive reimbursement of the amount paid for the tickets, the money has to be reimbursed to the passenger within 7 days from the date of submission of the passenger’s application for reimbursement of money to the air carrier.
If the flight is cancelled on the day of the flight upon arrival of passengers to the airport, and new time of departure of the flight is planned on the next day, the air carrier is obliged to provide a place of accommodation and transport from the airport to a place of accommodation from the airport and back to the airport. In such a case, the passengers also have the right for free meals and two free telephone calls. If the passengers are not rendered the assistance mentioned above, they may apply to the air carrier and claim for reimbursement of the costs mentioned upon submission of documents confirming accommodation, transport between the airport and the accommodation, meals and telecommunication costs.
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The passengers should apply for reimbursement to the air carrier, which had to operate the flight.
If the air carrier fails to give a response within 2 months or the response given does not satisfy the passenger, the passenger may lodge a complaint against the national operation assurance institution of the departure country (institution contacts may be found here:
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/passenger-rights/national-enforcement-bodies-neb_en, Such institution in Lithuania is the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration, )
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You should apply for reimbursement to the air carrier in writing, by electronic means (for example, by e-mail specified by the air carrier or fill out a complaint form available on the website of the air carrier).
Usually complaints to the air carrier for reimbursement should be lodged not later than within 1 year; however, it should be observed that the period may be longer/shorter depending on the laws of the departure country. In case of flights from Lithuania you should apply for reimbursement to the air carrier or with a complaint to the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration not later than within 3 years from the date of the incident.
Airline contacts may be found here.
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Conditions of change of flight dates depend on ticket and transportation rules as well as the rate of the purchased ticket established by the air carrier. In case of cancellation of the flight you may change the cancelled flight to the flight with similar trip conditions as soon as possible, or the flight with similar trip conditions for other time appropriate for you, if there are seats.
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If the airplane is headed to another airport than the one specified in the flight ticket, the air carrier operating the flight may offer the service of transportation to the destination airport free of charge or to compensate the costs of passenger transportation from that other airport to the airport specified in the ticket purchased by the passenger or another close destination agreed with the passenger.
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You should go to the updated airport specified in the flight reservation/ticket document, where the flight moved will be made from (for example, if the flight should have been made from Vilnius Airport, but the notice about a new departure airport is received from Palanga Airport, you should go to Palanga Airport).
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The obligation of the air carrier for compensation of such expenses is not stipulated in Regulation (EC) 261/20041, except cases where the flight is cancelled on the date of the flight upon arrival of passengers to the airport. In such a case the air carrier should organize transportation of the passengers to another airport, which is planned to perform the moved flight from.
1 - Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91
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On 11-12 July, during the NATO Summit in Lithuania, all commercial flights will be banned within a 30 km radius from the Litexpo Exhibition Centre in line with NATO security requirements. Commercial flights in Vilnius will be restricted for just over a day, from noon on 11 July to 2 pm on 12 July.
It is noted that air traffic disruptions and delays are also possible due to higher than normal aircraft traffic and the congestion at Vilnius and Kaunas airports.
Temporarily, on the days of the NATO Summit, and for some time before and after the event, planespotting enthusiasts are advised not to go to the observation deck as the perimeter of the airport will be guarded.
On 7-13 July, there will be restrictions on aircraft traffic over Lithuania, including small planes, balloons and drones.
Water vehicles will be banned on the section of the Neris River from Antakalnis Bridge to Gariūnai Bridge. The restrictions apply from 10-13 July.
Main goal for all institutions which are responsible for NATO Summis is to ensure that all delegations arrive and depart without disruption.
The aircraft of the NATO Summit delegations will be received at Vilnius and Kaunas airports. The specific numbers of aircraft and the distribution between the airports are still under negotiation.
Around 50 delegations are expected to arrive, with the exact number of aircraft to be decided.
On 11-12 July, during the NATO Summit in Lithuania, all commercial flights will be banned within a 30 km radius of the Litexpo Exhibition Centre in line with NATO security requirements. Flights in Vilnius will be restricted for just over a day, from noon on 11 July to 2 pm on 12 July.
The Lithuanian Airports Authority cooperates with Lithuanian and international security organisations. We are ready to take any additional measures necessary to ensure security. It is planned that additional security at Kaunas and Vilnius airports will be provided by the Armed Forces and Public Security Service officers.
It is likely that passengers may experience some inconvenience due to the restrictions on the route to Vilnius Airport. Due to the significant increase in the number of arriving and departing aircraft as a result of official delegations, scheduled flights may be affected and it may take longer than usual to reach Vilnius Airport.
Yes, the VIP terminal will be used for servicing NATO delegations.
In Kaunas airport additional service facilities will be provided for greeting and discharging guests.
The VIP Terminal will not provide commercial services on these days and will be dedicated solely to servicing NATO event delegations.
It is likely that the construction of the new departures terminal at Vilnius Airport may have to be temporarily halted to a minimum. This will not affect the final construction deadlines for the terminal.
Yes. The passenger terminals at Vilnius Airport will be open as normal and will be open to all who wish to enter. Please note that there may be additional restrictions and checks around the airport.
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