«By servicing 45% of all aircraft passengers in Baltic States and by carrying out 46% of all aircraft transport operations, Riga International Airport has enhanced its position as a leader on the Baltic market in the first half-year of 2016,» – noted Council Chairman of Riga International Airport Juris Kanels.

Ryanair has stated it would reduce its fare prices by an average of 7% in 2016, as the Irish airline seeks to increase its market share and increase competition in the European market.

This week, Latvian airline airBaltic celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Riga – Minsk service. Since 1996, airBaltic has carried almost 210,000 passengers .

In 2015, 6.8 million foreign travellers visited Latvia, which is 9.5 % more than in 2014. Last year foreign travellers spent EUR 742.2 million in Latvia, which is EUR 73.7 million or 11 % more than in 2014.

On 27 March, the summer flight schedule will come into force at Riga International Airport. It is planned that three new airlines will start working at the airport. airBaltic plans to open new destinations and restore several old routes that remained closed during winter.

Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, has announced plans to open a new route – Riga-Tel Aviv. The first flights will be carried out on 20 June 2016. Flights will be serviced twice a week – on Mondays and Fridays.

Greece’s largest airline and member of Star Alliance – Aegean Airlines – plans to open a new route this summer season – from Riga to Athens.

In 2015, 2.1 million foreign visitors stayed in Latvian accommodation establishments, which is 2.0 % more than in 2014. As compared with 2014, the number of foreign visitors grew by 3.1 %, reaching 1.5 million.

The Latvian airline airBaltic will launch a new summer charter flight between Riga and Rimini on June 5, 2016 for Tez Tour.

During winter holidays, from Christmas to the beginning of January, Riga’s tourist information centres were visited by 20% more tourists than last year.