VILNIUS — Vilnius International Airport took another step toward rectifying it’s dearth of flights as Russia’s air carrier Yamal received the green light from Lithuania’s Civil Aviation Administration on Thursday to fly passengers between Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport and the Lithuanian capital.

Kęstutis Auryla, Civil Aviation Administration director, confirmed to Baltic Reports on Friday that the airline would start flights on Oct. 25, when the winter season commences. Yamal is expected to operate the route on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays every week. The Russian airline currently has a fleet of 42 aircraft and will compete with the existing service between Vilnius and Moscow by Russia’s Utair.

The Avia Solutions Group, the former owners of now bankrupt flyLAL Lithuanian Airlines, maintains Yamal’s aircraft, trains their pilots and said the Russian company could also lease some of its fleet.

“We have close ties with Yamal. They are our customers at FlyLAL Technics and our pilot school. We suggested the idea to use our planes,” Rūta Apeikytė, head of Avia communications told Baltic Reports.

Slowly airlines are returning to Vilnius’ airport and the Transport and Communication Ministry are also trying to boost numbers to western Europe with a stimulus plan. Iceland Express is also interested in flying to the Lithuanian capital and is in negotiations with the airport.