An empty European airport has turned into a drive-in movie theatre

A Lithuanian airport is taking advantage of the decreased traffic caused by COVID-19 travel restrictions to set up a drive-in cinema in its airport apron area, where planes are usually parked, unloaded, refuelled and boarded.

Vilnius International Airport has erected the largest screen in the Baltic States, as it's approximately the size of a five-storey building. The sound system operates through car radios, just like traditional drive-in theatres, and up to 200 cars can fit into the screening area at once to watch a movie. It is part of the ‘Aerocinema - The Journey Begins’ project, which will run until the end of May as part of the Vilnius International Film Festival. Festival organisers saw the quieter time at the airport as a brilliant opportunity to screen films while movie theatres are closed.

The project is a sign of support to both the aviation and movie industries, which are going through difficult times as a result of the restrictions caused by the pandemic. The airport apron, which is a restricted area, had to be remade into a space open to film lovers. The drive-in theatre format makes it easy to follow physical distancing guidelines and other necessary security measures. Tickets are available online, and only cars with a maximum of two people are be allowed into the screening area.

“We want to create a unique experience," says Algirdas Ramaška, general director of Vilnius IFF. "Going out onto an airport apron, which is usually only possible to access after check-in, is an exciting experience. I think these screenings will leave an impression on audiences that will last a lifetime."

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