Lithuania mulls setting up virtual flag airline

The Lithuanian Transport Ministry proposes to set up a virtual flag carrier to reduce the country's reliance on foreign airlines.

The establishment of a national airline would be funded by the state and would make Lithuania "independent of foreign air carriers' constantly changing strategies", the ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

Transport Minister Jaroslav Narkevic says having a national airline is especially important as the country is resuming air travel following coronavirus closures.

The virtual airline would purchase flight hours and other services, such as ticket booking, from other carriers, but would use its own brand – a model used by Estonia's flag carrier Nordica

Such an airline could be set up at the end of 2020, the ministry said.