“We have started discussing a possibility to establish a joint venture with Vilnius Mayor and Estonia’s air carrier. That new company could operate an aircraft providing services to our leaders. Unlike in other countries, it wouldn’t be an exclusive aircraft,” he said in an interview to Žinių Radijas on Thursday.
The aircraft would not be used to transport the president exclusively, he added.
“We have already discussed that it should be in broader use but it could be used, for example, for the flights of the heads of state to certain countries where necessary,” Butkevičius said.
Arijandas Šliupas, Deputy Transport Minister, told BNS that he could not provide any detailed comments.
“I cannot say anything more than the prime minister on this issue… I think there is always room for discussions. Whether any measures are being taken or not, is not a question for today,” Šliupas told BNS.
Estonia’s media reported in February that Estonian Air might be merged with UK’s budget carrier Flybe in order to rescue the Estonian national carrier.
Eligijus Masiulis, former Transport Minister, came up with the idea to establish a joint Baltic air carrier back in 2009. Late in 2012, this initiative was discussed with representatives of Latvia’s government, yet no measures have been taken ever since.
Latvia’s Transport Minister Aivis Ronis said in late 2012 that Latvia did not rule out a possibility to talk with Lithuania and Estonia on a possibility for those countries to join the national air carrier Airbaltic as shareholders.
