Demonstrating its leading position in the Baltic region, Riga International Airport achieved a new passenger traffic record exceeding the threshold of 5.3 million passengers.

Arnis Muižnieks, director of aviation department, ministry of transport: “Closing the year with a new passenger traffic record, Riga International Airport has once again proven itself as the undisputed leader in the Baltic region.

“The recent ambitious investments in the Airport infrastructure, upgrading the airfield and improving passenger service facilities, have made Riga even more attractive to both airlines and travellers.”

“Airport development is closely linked to the growth of the national airline airBaltic, which this year carried more than half of the passengers of Riga Airport.”

By the end of the year Riga International Airport intends to serve 5.39 million passengers. London, Moscow, Oslo, Frankfurt and Helsinki are this year’s most popular destinations from Riga Airport. In turn, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Norway and Finland are the most frequently visited countries.

Normunds Feierbergs, member of the board, SJSC Riga International Airport, said: “A new passenger traffic record – 5,390,000 passengers – once again proves the sound growth of Riga Airport, and we are very grateful to our passengers who choose our Airport for their journeys, as well as to the airlines that provide an extensive aviation traffic offer from Riga.

“Forecasting future increase in passenger numbers, the Airport is already planning the next steps for further improvement of the passenger terminal, expanding the check-in hall, the baggage claim and sorting areas, security control area, as well as constructing of a multi-storey car park and connection to the newly built ‘Rail Baltica’ Riga Airport station.

“Our goal is to create an airport that would meet the needs of our passengers and be a place to return to again and again!”