Despite uncertainty caused by geopolitical and economic conditions, Riga Airport maintained stable operations throughout 2025. According to preliminary operational data, the number of travellersserved slightly exceeded 7.1 million passengers, similar to the previous year, while cargo volumes grew by 7%.
Of the total 7.1 million passengers, 5.7 million were direct travellers starting their journey at Riga Airport, while 1.4 million – around 20% – used the airport as a transfer point for connecting flights to other destinations.
The most popular destinations from Riga Airport last year were, as usual, London in the UK, along with the Northern European capitals Helsinki (Finland), Oslo (Norway), and Stockholm (Sweden). The top ten also included the Baltic capitals of Vilnius and Tallinn, major European hubs such as Frankfurt (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Copenhagen (Denmark), as well as Istanbul in Turkey.
The largest carrier at Riga Airport in 2025 was the national airline airBaltic, holding 57.2% of the market, followed by Irish low-cost airline Ryanair with a 22.8% share.
“Every airport’s main task is to ensure safe flights, efficient, sustainable, and modern airfield and terminal infrastructure, and a positive passenger experience. Last year, Riga Airport continued its focused work in these areas, becoming the first climate-neutral airport in the Baltics to offset all direct CO₂e emissions and raising its accreditation level in international customer experience assessments,” said Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Airport Board.
Reflecting on the year, Odiņa said: “2025 was marked by increasingly fierce competition for attracting airlines. Delayed aircraft deliveries, engine maintenance issues, and airlines’ focus on improving financial performance increased expectations for lower airport charges and incentive schemes, prompting carriers to adjust seasonal flight schedules and launch routes to more profitable markets. Therefore, the cooperation launched last year between the tourism sector, the Ministries of Transport and Economics, and other industry stakeholders to promote tourism and air travel represents a positive development. This collaboration should continue in 2026 to strengthen Latvia’s connectivity.”
In 2025, Riga Airport continued investments in airfield infrastructure, sustainability projects, and equipment renewal, with total investments reaching EUR 20 million. One of the most significant projects launched was the reconstruction of Apron 4, covering 80,000 square metres. The project will provide additional aircraft stands, including for wide-body aircraft, enabling the handling of all types of cargo and military aircraft. The upgraded apron will enhance military mobility – crucial in the current geopolitical context – and expand cargo handling capacity. Although sanctions against aggressor states and airspace restrictions still limit Riga Airport’s attractiveness for Asian carriers, two major players – Fly Khiva and Lufthansa Cargo – entered the cargo segment in 2025, driving a 7% increase in handled cargo to 20,100 tonnes. Of this, 51% was carried on passenger flights and 49% on dedicated cargo flights.
Looking ahead, Odiņa forecasts moderate but steady growth for Riga Airport in 2026: “As long as the current geopolitical situation persists, purchasing power remains stable, and air tourism does not expand, aviation traffic in Latvia is expected to grow moderately, in line with GDP growth. However, if conditions change significantly – such as the end of the war in Ukraine – faster growth is possible, with the opening of the Ukrainian market and new routes over currently closed airspaces. Like other airports, Riga Airport’s main challenges in the coming years will include balancing infrastructure capacity with growing passenger demand and maintaining positive passenger experiences, meeting sustainability requirements, addressing state dividend policies, and managing rising costs while responding to airlines’ pressure to keep per-passenger charges stable amid moderate traffic growth.”
In 2026, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will return to Riga with a robust flight schedule to Copenhagen, strengthening connectivity with Northern Europe. UAE carrier flydubai will continue flights on the recently launched Dubai route. Riga Airport’s largest carrier, airBaltic, has announced two new direct routes for the upcoming summer season – to Warsaw and Gothenburg – alongside previously announced routes to Antalya, Kaunas, and Oulu, and plans to increase frequencies on several popular existing routes.
Infrastructure development will remain a priority in 2026, with ongoing work on Apron 4 reconstruction, terminal expansion, and the RIX Airport City project – key to diversifying revenue and boosting non-aviation income. Sustainability initiatives will also continue, including replacing airfield equipment with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
For more information:
Laura Kulakova,
Head of Communication Unit
GSM: 29165007, l.kulakova@riga-airport.com