Among several airports operating in Latvia RIGA International Airport (VAS "Starptautiskā lidosta "Rīga") is the biggest one. It is situated within a 7 minutes drive from Riga, the capital of Latvia. There are smaller airports in Liepaja, Ventspils and Daugavpils. 

Over the last years RIGA International Airport has joined the group of fastest growing airports in Europe. Since 2004 the number of passengers handled at RIGA International Airport has quadrupled. The number of direct flights from the airport has increased from 15 routes in 2002 to 60 routes in the winter season of 2008/2009. RIGA International Airport in 2008 welcomed 3.69 million passengers achieving a growth rate of 16.8 percent compared with 2007. 

In 2008 in total RIGA International Airport handled 49 percent of all the passengers served in the international airports of the Baltic States. The neighbouring international airports in 2008 handled an aggregate number of 3.86 million passengers while RIGA International Airport alone – 3.69 million. Riga remains the leader among the Baltic airports in terms of its passenger turnover.

The airport provides direct flights to 32 countries: Kazakhstan, Greece, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Armenia, Norway, Finland, Egypt, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belarus, France, Lithuania, Turkey, Estonia, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, the United States of America.

Route map

The year 2009 will see the start of modernisation and reconstruction of the airport aimed at developing RIGA International Airport into the second largest airport in the region after Copenhagen, with a capacity of up to 12 million passengers per year overtaking Helsinki and Gardemoen (Oslo) airports.

Riga International Airport Traffic Statistics 2007/2008

The State Joint Stock Company of Air Space Utilization and Air Traffic Organisation “Latvijas Gaisa Satiksme” provides flight control services in the air space of Latvia. During the last years the air traffic control system has seen drastic improvement. Full radar coverage has been achieved for flights over 1,500 m. The new control procedures comply with the requirements of the ICAO and Eurocontrol. New working stations have been established. The quality of navigation services rendered by the company complies with the Eurocontrol standards. Today these services are used by more than 500 airlines.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Latvia has become a full-fledged member of the Joint Aviation Authorities. A status of a full-fledged member state will promote and ensure development and flourishing of aviation in Latvia, as well as open unlimited operation opportunities for our aviation companies and experts in the whole Europe.