Zokniai area was first used as an
aerial warfare facility in 1916–1917, when the German forces built
hangars for their
Zeppelinairships.[2]
The Lithuanian Air Force began expanding during the
Interwar period, as Lithuania was acquiring foreign aircraft as well as domestically produced
ANBO-series aircraft, making the
Kaunas aerodrome insufficient.[2]
The concrete runways were first built during the
German occupation in 1943.[6] Following the
Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the aerodrome was taken over by the Soviet forces.[2] Two parallel runaways, 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and 3.2 km (2.0 mi) long, were built by 1957 for
Ilyushin Il-28 and it became a major military airport able to host jet fighters and
strategic bombers.[6] It was one of only six Soviet airbases capable of handling the
Myasishchev M-4 bomber.[7] Following the
independence restoration in 1990, the airport was returned to the Lithuanian Air Force.[2]
In 1990s, it was renovated and equipped for civilian operations.[2] In 1994, Šiauliai Airport gained the status of
international airport.[3] It was further modernized in 2004 when Lithuania joined
NATO.[6] It became a NATO air base, hosting the
Baltic Air Policing mission. The first NATO
F-16 jet fighters from the
Belgian Air Component landed in March 2004.[4]
Officially Lithuanian Air Force Air Base, more commonly known as Šiauliai Air Base, is the headquarters of the Lithuanian Air Force since nearly all its aircraft operate out of it, including
C-27J Spartan transporters and
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters.[7] The base has Air Force Armament and Equipment Repair Depot.[8] In 2020, around 400 military and civilian staff worked in the air base.[7]
The civilian use is primarily for the
aircraft maintenance and
cargo transportation. The airport has a passenger terminal, meeting the requirements of the
Schengen Area, but it is used only for the irregular flights.[13] Since the airport is also a military facility, it is not subject to noise regulations and is open 24 hours a day.[14]
Šiauliai Airport is a regional centre for the
aircraft maintenance and parking, with several companies operating in the airport, including "J&C Aero" and "Aviatic MRO".[14][15] Runways have a capacity to accept larger aircraft, such as
Boeing 747 or
Airbus A330.[14]
The airport has infrastructure for storage and
customs and has been expanding its commercial cargo operations.[16][17]
Zokniai area was first used as an
aerial warfare facility in 1916–1917, when the German forces built
hangars for their
Zeppelinairships.[2]
The Lithuanian Air Force began expanding during the
Interwar period, as Lithuania was acquiring foreign aircraft as well as domestically produced
ANBO-series aircraft, making the
Kaunas aerodrome insufficient.[2]
The concrete runways were first built during the
German occupation in 1943.[6] Following the
Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the aerodrome was taken over by the Soviet forces.[2] Two parallel runaways, 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and 3.2 km (2.0 mi) long, were built by 1957 for
Ilyushin Il-28 and it became a major military airport able to host jet fighters and
strategic bombers.[6] It was one of only six Soviet airbases capable of handling the
Myasishchev M-4 bomber.[7] Following the
independence restoration in 1990, the airport was returned to the Lithuanian Air Force.[2]
In 1990s, it was renovated and equipped for civilian operations.[2] In 1994, Šiauliai Airport gained the status of
international airport.[3] It was further modernized in 2004 when Lithuania joined
NATO.[6] It became a NATO air base, hosting the
Baltic Air Policing mission. The first NATO
F-16 jet fighters from the
Belgian Air Component landed in March 2004.[4]
Officially Lithuanian Air Force Air Base, more commonly known as Šiauliai Air Base, is the headquarters of the Lithuanian Air Force since nearly all its aircraft operate out of it, including
C-27J Spartan transporters and
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters.[7] The base has Air Force Armament and Equipment Repair Depot.[8] In 2020, around 400 military and civilian staff worked in the air base.[7]
The civilian use is primarily for the
aircraft maintenance and
cargo transportation. The airport has a passenger terminal, meeting the requirements of the
Schengen Area, but it is used only for the irregular flights.[13] Since the airport is also a military facility, it is not subject to noise regulations and is open 24 hours a day.[14]
Šiauliai Airport is a regional centre for the
aircraft maintenance and parking, with several companies operating in the airport, including "J&C Aero" and "Aviatic MRO".[14][15] Runways have a capacity to accept larger aircraft, such as
Boeing 747 or
Airbus A330.[14]
The airport has infrastructure for storage and
customs and has been expanding its commercial cargo operations.[16][17]