Investments

After its launch, in the middle of last year, the low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” renewed direct flights between the Lithuanian capital and other European cities and became an unexpected surprise to the airlines of the neighbouring countries. This is one of the few airlines that launched its operations during the most difficult economic period.

In the middle of 2009, the Company’s flights connected Vilnius with London, Girona (Barcelona) and Dublin and in this way restored air links between Vilnius and the largest European cities. Currently, “Star1 Airlines” offers five destinations from Vilnius and is planning more direct flights in the future. Having started its activity with the Boeing 737 Next Generation at that time, alongside the development of aviation, the Star Team Group of companies to which the low-cost carrier “Star1 Airlines” belongs, also extensively develops the outgoing tourism projects, which “Star1 Holidays” is in charge of.

“Why did you decide to launch a new, risky business in the reces-sion period”, we asked the CEO of “Star1 Airlines” Mr. Martynas Laivys.
– Aviation and tourism have always been among my top priority activities. I have 15 years experience in the sphere of tourism and decided to use it to the benefit of my homeland. I am an idealist and want to engage in business, which brings benefits to both its owners and the country itself.

The economic background of the last year was fatal to many countries across the world and Lithuania is no exception. This situation induced us to take up new activities and implement the ideas that we have entertained for years.

– Today you rate “Star1 Airlines” as a low-cost air carrier? Why did you choose this direction?
– The traditional low-cost carrier is a market player offering its services at a reasonable price to as many people as possible. We differ from other low-cost companies in making the quality of service our priority. We have put in a great deal of effort to enable our clients to reach their desired destinations at an attractive and competitive price without reducing the quality. Low fares of flight combined with high quality of service and attention to every client gives us a competitive edge.

– What is the geography of your current destinations and what are your plans for the future?
– We started with London (Stansted) followed by Dublin, Girona (Barcelona) and Milan (Malpensa). At the end of March 2010, we launched a totally new destination from Lithuania connecting Vilnius with Edinburgh. The situation in the market shall dictate the launch of new destinations in our flight schedule. We shall continue pursuing our reasonable and well-weighted development strategy and shall base our decisions on real situation in the travel market.

– What are long-term prospects for “Star1 Airlines”?
– Some of our routes have already attained strong positions in our flight schedule and generate regular passenger flows. Within less than a year we have earned our customers’ trust – this is of great importance to us. Therefore, a combination of quality and reasonable prices will continue to be among our top priorities.

We also see many possibilities in the incoming tourism sector. We seek to attract foreign tourists to Lithuania and are thinking of offering special products to them. Vilnius, the city of unique character and spirit, is becoming ever more popular among the city break travellers and has many things to offer. Lots of churches and monasteries together with many interesting museums and historical sites make the city outstanding and attractive. The Old Town, the historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

So we see it as a priority to show the best of what we have to tourists from all over the world who enjoy new and efficient travelling possibilities today thanks to travel operators and low-cost carriers like “Star1 Airlines”.

www.star1.aero