Vilnius Airport has undertaken mass testing of its new departures terminal with 1,000 volunteers. Acting as passengers for six simulated flights, the volunteers explored the new terminal and helped the Lithuanian Airports teams assess their readiness for the terminal’s grand opening, scheduled for February.
“The terminal will double Vilnius Airport’s passenger capacity, and our goal is to ensure an exceptional passenger experience in parallel,” said Simonas Bartkus, CEO, Lithuanian Airports. “We are deeply grateful to all the testers who dedicated their time to contribute. Their authentic experience and feedback will allow us to evaluate the terminal’s performance under high-demand conditions, address any issues, and implement improvements. This is the first time in airport history we’ve involved the public in such a complex and unique project.”
The testing experience began on the first floor of the new terminal, where volunteers encountered a passenger check-in area with self-service options, including independent baggage drop-off. On the second floor, they navigated through the security screening zone and boarding gates for Schengen-area passengers. Participants were tasked with independently completing typical airport procedures and trying out new systems.
During the test, approximately 140 airport staff members and partners, including aviation security officers, ground handling representatives, and customs officials, simulated real operational processes.
With the new terminal, Vilnius Airport’s passenger capacity is expected to rise from 1,200 to 2,400 passengers per hour. Achieving this milestone has been made possible by technological upgrades, including state-of-the-art equipment enabling more accurate and faster processes for baggage check-in, security screening, and more.
“Our main challenge was integrating various systems to function like a living organism, with Artificial Intelligence playing a crucial role,” said Giedrius Paulikaitis, Head of Technology Development, Lithuanian Airports. “The innovations are designed to help passengers and their baggage move through the airport more quickly, safely, and comfortably. During the mass test, we will analyse system performance and interaction. This will also allow staff teams to apply new skills and knowledge in real conditions as they adapt to these technological advancements.”
One key innovation is the Rapiscan scanner, a 7.5-ton computed tomography-based device for scanning checked baggage. Two such devices form the backbone of the baggage screening system. Using this technology, security specialists can view 3D images of baggage contents, with a four-tier security screening process implemented at Vilnius Airport. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence is employed to identify various items and substances in passenger luggage.
