In Feb-2010, Ryanair announced plans to open its 40th - and first Central European - base at Kaunas in Lithuania in May-2010 with two based aircraft (B737-800s) and 18 routes, nine of them new, in a USD140 million investment. Ryanair also confirmed that it is in continuous negotiation with four other Central European airports to open bases. The Lithuanian Transport Minister welcomed the decision, but the airport’s manager was reported not to be so keen, insisting, according to the Estonian Free Press that no carrier had signed a long term agreement with the airport. What does this mean for Ryanair, for other carriers and for the airports?