The expansion will enable Vilnius Airport to handle twice as many passengers. The design of the new arrivals terminal was prepared by Zaha Hadid Architects. The concept emphasises minimalism while trying to emphasise the unique identity of the region. The Lithuanians hope that the modern facility will become an architectural landmark and create a first impression for people arriving here.
Vilnius airport (Vilniaus oro uostas) has a history dating back to the interwar period. It was built in 1932, when the city was within the borders of Poland. The official opening took place on 17 August 1932, and the event was accompanied by an inauguration ceremony attended by the highest Polish authorities, including President Ignacy Mościcki and Prime Minister Aleksander Prystor. The first air service that served the airport was from Warsaw via Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn. It was an international route, operated by LOT Polish Airlines. The aircraft serving this route was a three-motor Fokker F.VII/3M, assembled at the Lublin-based Plage and Laśkiewicz factory. In the 1950s, the infrastructure was expanded, including a distinctive terminal decorated with socialist realist motifs. After Lithuania regained its independence, Vilnius airport gained international status and underwent a number of modernisations, including the expansion of the terminal in 2007, adapted to Schengen zone standards. The project for the next expansion is expected to significantly improve the port’s capacity.
Vilnius airport is currently distinguished by its historic buildings, which will be preserved and connected to the new terminal:
Passenger in the spotlight
ZHA’s architects drew on Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage to give the terminal a distinct character. The base of the whole is a geometric motif – a modular structure based on the rhombus and triangle, important forms in Baltic folklore. The same shapes permeate the interiors in the form of a woven wooden roof structure, inspired by the traditional ‘sodai’ – hanging decorations made of woven grain stalks, symbolising fertility and celebration.
“The design looks boldly into the future, maintaining respect for the site and the surroundings,” emphasises Laura Kairienė, head of the Vilnius City Board. Lightly illuminated by evenly spaced skylights, the interiors are meant to convey the impression of being inside a huge, woven ornament.
The investor’s priority was functionality and the comfort of travellers. The open spaces, illuminated by daylight, lead passengers intuitively from the baggage reclaim area through the check-in desks and services to the exits outside. The spacious lobby and clear visual communication minimise the stress accompanying the journey. Thanks to its modular design, the terminal is expected to adapt easily to future traffic growth and new aviation technologies.
“I am delighted that a mature, professional architectural solution was chosen for a public infrastructure project of this scale. It is a work that boldly steps into the future, but maintains respect for the site and the environment. I believe that the new terminal will not only provide functionality and comfort for passengers, but will also become an example of sustainable, high-quality architectural development in Vilnius,” comments Laura Kairienė, Chief Architect of the City of Vilnius.
Vilnius airport currently:
“The new terminal is an excellent showcase for visitors to Lithuania,” says Simonas Bartkus, CEO of Lithuanian Airports. “It combines unique architectural solutions with the highest quality of service.”
Connection to the city and region
The arrivals terminal will become part of the expanded Airport Plaza complex – a multi-modal hub connecting the airport to the road and rail network. Plans include a Rail Baltica station (connecting Warsaw with Kaunas, Riga and Tallinn, as well as Vilnius), regional and suburban rail lines, buses, taxis, and routes for cyclists and pedestrians. As a result, travellers from the centre of Vilnius will reach the airport in just a few minutes and the airport will become the true transport heart of the region.
How big is Vilnius airport? Lithuania’s main airport handled 4.4 million passengers in 2023. In comparison, Poznań-Ławica Airport handled 3.6 million travellers in 2024 and the country’s largest airport, Warsaw Chopin Airport, handled 21 million passengers in 2024.
Visualisation of the new terminal:
Ecology
Vilnius airport aims to be environmentally friendly. It uses passive solutions: double-glazed thermal insulation, hybrid ventilation and intelligent airflow management systems that learn to predict traffic volumes and optimise energy consumption. There will be a photovoltaic installation on the roof of more than 13,000 sq m, and rainwater and grey water recovery systems will be used to irrigate the greenery and operate the sanitary facilities.
The airport of the future
The new terminal is a key stage of Vilnius Airport’s 30-year development plan. Together with the already completed departures terminal and the passenger infrastructure being prepared, it will create a joint complex that will prepare the Lithuanian capital for traffic growth. With direct connections to many new destinations, the country’s economy is set to get a boost and Vilnius is set to strengthen its position on the global tourism and business map.
When will Vilnius airport be expanded? The selection of a contractor for the construction of the new terminal is planned to be announced in early 2027.
source: Zaha Hadid Architects, www.lrytas.lt
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