Author: Ilze Salna
Source: Riga-airport.com
During the winter flight season, which runs from 27 October to the end of March, Riga Airport anticipates a 10 to 11 % increase in planned passenger flights and available seats compared to the previous winter. Airlines operating at Riga Airport will provide flights to over 80 destinations, an increase of five routes compared to the previous winter season. Significant news is expected from Riga, along with a notable increase in the frequency of flights on several popular routes.
The national airline airBaltic will start regular flights to Rzeszów on the Polish-Ukraine border as of 8 November, and to the Austrian mountain resort of Innsbruck as of 22 December. The carrier will also maintain its summer routes to Sofia, Ljubljana, and Chisinau throughout the winter season. Regular flights are now scheduled to three additional destinations – Madeira, and the Egyptian resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh – marking the first time Riga Airport offers regular direct flights to these locations.
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Norwegian is further expanding its route network by launching flights between Riga and Alicante, offering more connections for Baltic and Scandinavian passengers to popular leisure destinations in Spain, using its Riga-based aircraft fleet.
"With an expanded network of destinations and more frequent flights on popular routes, Riga Airport's winter schedule offers passengers greater convenience and speed in reaching their desired destinations, while also enhancing opportunities for foreign visitors to explore Latvia and the Baltic region," says Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport.
British Airways will offer the largest increase in seat capacity from Riga this winter, more than doubling the number of available seats; the airline will now operate flights between Riga and London-Heathrow Airport daily. LOT Polish Airlines and Turkish Airlines will also significantly increase their capacity, with LOT offering up to 17 weekly flights between Riga and Warsaw, and Turkish Airlines operating 12 weekly flights between Riga and Istanbul.
The UK market is expected to see the highest growth in seat capacity, driven not only by British Airways' expanded services but also by Ryanair’s increased flight frequency to Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other destinations. Significant capacity growth is also expected in several Northern European markets, particularly in Denmark and Sweden, with both Norwegian and Ryanair increasing their flight frequencies. Ryanair will also resume direct flights to Aarhus this winter after a two-year break. Finland's accessibility as a travel destination will be enhanced by Finnair's planned increase in flight frequency on the Riga-Helsinki route to 32 flights per week, along with airBaltic's expansion of connectivity between Riga and Tampere.
Eleven airlines will offer regular passenger flights from Riga Airport during the winter season: airBaltic, British Airways, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Turkish Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Wizz Air.
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