Riga airport has decided to be very aggressive in business. Over the last years all three main Baltic airports have been very similar in numbers.

Now Riga airport has decided that in 2006 the number of passengers should be 2 millions and in 2010 - 6 millions. Do not know what other Baltic airports are planning.

Statistics from the last years, Riga:

No of passengers
2004, six months - 432 000 passengers
2003 - 712 000 passengers
2002 - 633 000 passengers

No of flights
2004, six months - 12 446
2003 - 19 504
2002 - 18 676

Cargo (less important to me)
2004, six months - 5 870 t
2003 - 13 534
2002 - 6580

Direct flights to 22 cities:
- Dublin
- London
- Brussels
- Frankfurt
- Munchen
- Milano
- Amsterdam
- Hamburg
- Berlin
- Prague
- Wien
- Copenhagen
- Oslo
- Stockholm
- Helsinki
- Tallinn
- Vilnius
- Warszawa
- Minsk
- Moscow
- Kiiv
- Tel Aviv
In some days to this list would be added Manchester (seems - that' s mainly for British beer-drinkers) and Koln
To my mind Paris and St Petersburg are missing very much...

17 different airlines are using Riga airport.

What the airport is going to do in near future:
- to complete the public road reconstruction to the airport. These roads would be the showcase of Latvian roadbuilding - come and look at all these estacades, pedestrian bridges and lights in 2005, some parts are ready now.
- to build new, additional passenger terminal.
- to quit the airport tax (12 EUR), which was invented some years ago
- to make exception for Russians and Belorussians using Riga airport - they should be able cross Latvia with bus or personal car without visa.
- to attract cheap airlines - local Air Baltic is a cheap one already - ticket to London costs 49 LVL (some 70 EUR). Ryanair is expected to come this year.

Additional positive effects should come from reconstruction of Via Baltica - road to Lithuania (via Bauska) would be completed in this year, to Estonia - in 2008. And of course the best effect would be if Riga City would be wise enough to advertise its architectonic beauties a bit more...

How do you think??? And what are plans in your airports?
http://www.riga-airport.com/images/no_gaisa1.jpg
http://www.riga-airport.com/images/no_gaisa.jpg
http://www.riga-airport.com/images/terminals_back1.jpg
http://www.riga-airport.com/images/terminals_skaisti.jpg

The airport is situated in a historically important place - the original airport was nearby, and seaplaned operated on Lake Ülemise(today ofcourse unthinkable, since we drink its water:P)The "soviet" terminal was built for the 1980 Moscow olympic games.
well, tallinn airport is newly renovated :) its small but cozy
in first 5 months 352 769 passengers(excluding direct transit passengers) - alot more people are expected to arrive at summer months.
Analitycs say the total passengers this year will be around 1 million - because of the rapid growth, tallinn airport is really thinking of enlarging, plans are to enlarge the airport terminal by 6000m2, it plans to increase width and lenght, but not hight. They will invest about 400mio eek - 26 mio euro in the project.I dont have any pictures though :(

some statistics about airport!
Runway: 3070 m long, 45 m wide
Taxing ways: 2560 m, 23 m wide
parking spaces(ofcourse airplane): 7 D-class, 18 C-class ja 17 A/B-class

yearly growth of passengers is about 30-35% :)
before renovation
http://karsten.thiee.free.fr/ap16/Tallinn%201.jpg
after -

http://www.arhitektuur.ee/maja/arhiiv/1999_4/graphics/28.jpg
http://www.arhitektuur.ee/maja/arhiiv/1999_4/graphics/31-4.jpg
http://www.arhitektuur.ee/maja/arhiiv/1999_4/graphics/29.jpg
http://www.hot.ee/ch1le/lennujaam.jpg
http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/img/terminal_map.gif

According to the nearest future plans Vilnius airport terminal will be expanded because the current maximum capacity is only over 1 million passengers per year, expansion works should be done in 2006. On the whole Vilnius International is a small airport and quite uncomfortable according to many who have used it. Hopefully things will improve after reconstruction. There's also need to upgrade the runway because the current one is only 2500m long, there were plans for a new runway, dunno anything more about it though.

The current shape of airport was gained in 1993
http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/img_var/uosto_architektura_1.jpg

And the old building was built back in 1954, it will be all covered with glass shield after reconstruction
http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/img_var/uosto_architektura.jpg


a competition was held for the expansion project, here is the winner, although it was changed from the original winning design
http://img44.photobucket.com/albums/v136/johngang/Projects/airport/Image2.jpg

http://img44.photobucket.com/albums/v136/johngang/Projects/airport/Image1.jpg



airport stats

year - passengers

2000 - 521 529
2001 - 584 171
2002 - 634 991
2003 - 719 850
2004 (six months) - 419 000


there are also very preliminary plans (visions and ideas to be exact) to build a new big inernational airport between Vilnius and Kaunas. The idea was brought because it would be ideal for using the infrastructure (the motorway connecting two major cities), it would be further away from city centers and would be more convenient for non Vilnius residents. But it's unclear whether this idea will go through or not.

There are two more international airports in Lithuania - Kaunas and Palanga

To sum it up a little:

Riga
2003 - 712 000 passengers
2004 six months - 432 000
2004 five months - 328 000
destinations - 22 (2 more in some weeks, none local yet)
airlines represented - 17

Tallinn
2003 - 715 859 passengers
2004 five months - 352 769
runway - 3070m
destinations - 20 (including two local)
airlines represented - 14

Vilnius
2003 - 719 850
2004 six months - 419 000
destinations - 21 (one local)
airlines represented - 12

Currently no one is winner - all are incredibly similar.

but if we take to account population... then clearly we see that....

but if we take to account population... then clearly we see that....
account population of finns? :D

finns? what about them?

@ch1le

we have to take into account that there are two more international airports in Lithuania without Vilnius, so 3 airports in total. I'm wondering how many are in Estonia? ;)

finns? what about them?
Well, finns are like 2nd population in Estonia, especially Tallinn ;)

hmmm... international ones... well... :) Kuressaare will soon be with flights from Kuressaare to Tampere, then Tartu and Pärnu may get Ryanair... wait... hey! thats 4!

Well, finns are like 2nd population in Estonia, especially Tallinn ;)

they dont fly Via tallinn airport to anywhere, and they pretty much arrive to tallinn by boat :bleh:

they dont fly Via tallinn airport to anywhere, and they pretty much arrive to tallinn by boat :bleh:
But I'm sure there are many finns using Tallinn air too :yes: Btw, are there any flights to Helsinki? :D

hmmm... international ones... well... :) Kuressaare will soon be with flights from Kuressaare to Tampere, then Tartu and Pärnu may get Ryanair... wait... hey! thats 4!

will or won't, yet who knows... we're talking about present situation :)

Just Liepaja and Ventspils are investing in new terminals in hope that with further development of the country air traffic will start.
Ventspils airport:
http://www.airport.ventspils.lv/imgs/galerija/010/1077086070.jpg
No regular flights yet, fights to Riga planned this year.

Liepaja airport:
http://www.liepaja-airport.lv/foto/10.jpg
http://www.liepaja-airport.lv/foto/41.jpg

In this year should start flights to Riga. Earlier there were many flights, some 10 destinations.

There is also airport in Daugavpils, which earlier had scheduled flights. It should be developed more to start regular flights. Airport in Tukums recently was proposed for cheap airlines, but this proposal was rejected.

Previous, old airport inside Riga - "Spilve" is used for private planes.
There are numerous runways around the country.

Nothing impressive, I know...

The aiport of Tartu is situated in Ülenurme, no scheduled flights now though.
The runway is asphalt-covered and 1400m long.
http://www.hot.ee/tartuairport/Eesti/Pildid/ljaam_yld.jpg
http://www.hot.ee/tartuairport/Eesti/Pildid/ljaam31.jpg
Tartu also had another airfield in Raadi, which is much closer to the city, but it was used by the Soviet air force and it's now used for car racing events.

Pärnu airport is situated 4km from the city centre. It's a former military airfield, the runway is 2500m long and can handle planes weighing up to 190 tons. It has scheduled service to islands but it also handles international charter flights.
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/bulgaaria/bulgar-erki-05.jpg
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/horvaatia/horvaatiapresident7.JPG
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/Boeing2003/boeing06.jpg
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/Peaministrid/0070.jpg
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/Poola/003.jpg
http://www.eepu.ee/images/galerii/Terminaal/001.jpg

Kuressaare Airport was opened in 1940. It has two runways, 1500m and 799m, width is 30m, can handle planes weighing up to 65 tons. Scheduled flights to Tallinn, Ruhnu and Pärnu. Operators of these flights are Avies (operates L-410 and Jetstream 31) and Air Livonia (An-28).
http://www.eeke.ee/pic/5.JPG
http://www.avies.ee/images/aircrafts/l410_plb.jpg
http://www.avies.ee/images/aircrafts/js31_01.jpg
http://www.airlivonia.ee/an28%20udu.JPG

The island of Ruhnu has only a 500m grass-covered runway.
http://www.eeke.ee/pic/R6.jpg

Kihnu's airfield has two grass-strips
http://www.slk.ee/images/344.jpg

Kärdla Airport (the island of Hiiumaa) has a 1520m asphalt-covered airport. Scheduled flights to Tallinn.
http://www.nikkemedia.fi/esmo/Kardla-fly-in-2001/P8040763.JPG

There are many other airfields though, mostly former Soviet military airfields.

/\ exellent job renx i was just trying to sum up other airports too, but i failed to find good pics from Ruhnu, kihnu, Hiiumaa and Tartu, so i quit :D

Some info about other airports in Lithuania

Kaunas Airport

-Runway length: 3,250 m

sorry no more info I could found, only photos

http://www.kaunasair.lt/hq/1/outside_2.JPG

http://www.kaunasair.lt/hq/5/Ruslan037.JPG

http://www.kaunasair.lt/img/311.jpg

there are some negotiations with RyanAir to start flights to other European cities from Kaunas but nothing clear yet.


Palanga International Airport

flights from Palanga to 10 international and 2 domestic destinations (Vilnius and Kaunas)

no quality photos, only these
http://www.palanga-airport.lt/img/about-foto-3.jpg

http://www.palanga-airport.lt/img/about-foto-4.jpg

No. of passengers
http://www.palanga-airport.lt/en/img/about-chart.gif



and one more - Siauliai airport

Located in suburb of Zokniai in Siauliai city, the place from where NATO jets would knock any flying ass illegally entered airspace of any Baltic country :guns1:

-legth: 3500m :eek:
-width: 45m
- 5 taxiways

The airport is a heritage of USSR air forces, it was one of the biggest USSR airbases in the region built for "protection" of the western borders of the USSR. No limitations for aircrafts - airport is capable to handle any kind and any size of any flying object including spaceships, it was plannet to possibly use as one of the airfields to land for USSR's "Buran" spaceships which unfortunately never did it :(

only this pic, but a nice one :)
http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/News/images/dbx_lithouwen_010704_005.jpg

i belive 3.5 is still too small for usa's space shuttle, buran is similar, yet very different!

heh dunno about US shuttle spaceships, perhaps soviets didn't foresee such possibility :)
but the most important thing is that it's enough for NATO forces. btw what an irony - NATO jets based in an airfield designed and built by soviets for agression against NATO itself :)

yup :) think if russia lets us have their NUKES (some stayed behind after soviet collapse) :P :P :P

Hmmm, so far I see Riga Airport seems to be as somewhat the most serious one in the Baltics. So I guess RIGA will have the largest and possibly the best Airport in the Baltics, mainly because of its good (I think) location. :)

Ryanair comes to Riga, EasyJet soon to come too
Everybody today is waiting for press conference where would be announced about coming of cheap airlines to Latvia. Almost everyone agrees that it would be Ryanair - there are rumours that they would have some four directions - Dublin, London, Paris and something more.
In this year there is expected one more cheap airline company here - most likely EasyJet.
Will report a bit more when news would be announced.

1,5 hours ago Ryanair chiefs arrived. No official news yet. But their homepage shows Riga already. Flights will start in 31st October, will go to London, Frankfurt and Tampere (?).

He :) London - Riga - Fares from £3.99 . Funny :)
But Latvian language in their webpage is terrible

But I'm sure there are many finns using Tallinn air too :yes: Btw, are there any flights to Helsinki? :D

Many come by plane as well !!!! hehehe

GDANSK Lech Walesa airport

photos:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/595336/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/604439/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/594640/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/423316/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/353254/M/

The growing volume of passengers who use the Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport annually results from both the availability of attractive and numerous aviation services to and from Gdansk and from the business and tourist activity in the region. In 1991, the airport handled over 78,000 passengers and in 2003 their number is projected rise to approximately 365,000. These figures illustrate a more than five-fold increase of passenger turnover with an average annual increase of approx. 15%. The dynamism of growth at the level of 15% as recorded in 2003 significantly exceeds the mean values recorded worldwide.

2004 - first 6 months - 199,000 passengers

Is it called according to the name of former Polish president Lech Walesa? Interesting because they usually give names like this after person's death (yeah he's an important and perhaps even a historic personality but still). Or do they want him to die soon? :D

Lech was also mainman in solidarity :) he deserves it :) partially thanks to that man, we are free

Yeah it is (Lech Walesa started Solidarity in Gdansk). It's a pretty stupid choice for a name IMO, you shouldnt name things after living people.

yep it's weird :) usually they name stuff after people are dead :P but i'd be honoured :)

Is it called according to the name of former Polish president Lech Walesa? Interesting because they usually give names like this after person's death (yeah he's an important and perhaps even a historic personality but still). Or do they want him to die soon? :D

Yes - You are right - but... we have also Jan Pawel II streets, monuments of Jan Pawel II in many Polish cities and... Krakow airport name is... Jan Pawel II airport - so we can say that we have tradition to give names of living persons in Poland ;)

At least Warsaw airport is Frideric Chopin airport :)

In fact the ceremony of giving Lech Walesa name to the Gdansk airport was held a few months ago :

http://www.gdansk.pl/gdansk/files/img_b/68/15_file.jpg http://gdansk.naszemiasto.pl/grafika2/nowy/b3/40_363965_2_d_7495.jpg

Currently everything is simple in Lithuania. Vilnius airport is used mostly for passengers and Kaunas airport mostly for cargo as Kaunas airport has much longer runway and can accept big and fully loaded cargo planes :) But I'd still like some cheap flight company to fly to Kaunas ;)

You have all heard of Ryanair's decision to start flights to RIX friom Frankfurt, Tampere and London. There are some additional exciting news coming from Riga airport:

At the end of this summer airBaltic will fly from Riga to Koln and Manchester (as Gatis have noted). They will also add another destination from Riga in October airBaltic will start to fly to Paris (I have no idea why they waited that long :eek2: ). AirBaltic is also evaluating possibility of starting flights to Ventspils, but there is nothing certain yet.

Another news came to me as a surprise, it is strange but exciting. In october there will be regular connection between New York and Riga... operated by Uzbekistan Airways. This will be en-route stop of the flight Tashkent-Riga-New York. Thus Riga will receive one American and one Asian destination!

To sum up exluding (London and Frankfurt operated by Ryanair) there will be 28 direct distanations operated from Riga Airport. This is pretty exciting! :)

Overal number of passengers should be over 1 million this year according to Mr. Darzinsh, press secretary of Riga Airport. They plan to increase the number of passengers to 2 million next year mainly due to Ryanair and attracting transit passengers and 5-6 million in 2006. It is a bit optimistic, but it is better to look at things positively!

Oops, I just noticed in another thread that Gatis has put posting about New York - Riga - Tashkent flight. As always I am too late :bash: ! Nevertheless the news are exciting!

Another thing: The current capacity of Riga airport is 1.5 million passengers annually. If Riga airport is serious about having about 2 million passengers next year they need to expand. They have started move in that direction. The tender on the construction of the North Terminal has been annouced about a month ago, and the construction should be completed by the end of next year.

Gatis, you wrote someting about proposed train link to RIX. It seem to me difficult to acheive. We have Riga-Jurmala line about nearby, but it is not right next to the passenger terminal. Some sort of bus shuttle would be necessary from the train station to the airport, unless they would reroute and built the interely new train track, which I don't see them doing (especially considering already sad state of Latvian Passenger railway / but Prob. better then Estonian, I heard passanger railway is in complete disarray there).

Passenger Railway together with all the Railways of Latvia were celebrating their 85 year anniversary... although railway in Latvia is much older to my knowledge. Hope they do not have too heavy hangover.
In interviews they promised that the bad times of Latvian passenger railway have gone. All the painful cuts have been done, prices optimised. In two - three years we should see modern passenger trains in Latvia (finally!!!) and if the purchasing possibility would grow (then the prices will grow too), the trains would be far more popular than today. Looking at the trafic jams and lack of parking places in Jurmala yesterday I tend to agree. At least suburban railway around Riga should be a kind of booming business in the coming years.
Regarding the airport and railway - currently in stupid way the railway passes by some 2km from airport. In interviews (I heard on TV) they said that there are plans for rebuilding to have railway at the airport. Should be beneficial to both. Anyway this can not happen that soon. And I do not have too exact information here.

Today CNN has an article (http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/08/09/bt.ryanair.riga.ap/index.html) about the new Ryanair connection to Riga. The article is accompanied by this picture:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TRAVEL/08/09/bt.ryanair.riga.ap/story.riga.afp.jpg

Either you guys must have gone way out to celebrate the arrival of Ryanair in Riga :cheers1: or the picture is intended to show the readers an image of Riga. :cool: either way! :)

hehh... CNN is makeing it into a miracle article! :P its like this!

- Riga got 1st color TV, and in the local news... A car was seen at Hanza street or something like that
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TRAVEL/08/09/bt.ryanair.riga.ap/story.riga.afp.jpg
and they add a pic of them celebrating! Mwuah, i doubt there were any fireworks... CNN just showing that the baltic ppl are cawemen :)

You're not trying to put anybody down here, are you, ch1le? ;)

certainly not... we actually are one of the most intelligent people in the world...(who else could survive centurys of raping, slavery and mindless beating... ehh... we are pretty well off at the moment... considering all that...
Its just CNN :) - they make us look like slobs

Make you look like slobs? Now why would they want to do that? I don't think so, ch1le. :) I thought the picture was a rather nice touch. :)

No, what' s wrong with these news? It is fine if CNN says that Ryanair goes to Riga. (Btw. the tickets for these planes have been booked for many months ahead - even if the planes will start flying only in November!)
The picture shows the Grand Finale of Riga 800 anniversary in 2001. That was fireworks which costed nearly 0,5 mio USD and were made by Australian grand-masters of pyrotechnics.
Since then fireworks are not that popular in Latvia anymore. Anything else now looks just sad :)
http://www.dives.lv/photo/a/a0014.jpg
You can look at them also at the high-quality video-presentation of Latvia (32 MB if you choose MPEG) here. I warmly recommend you to look it - there is also fine music by our belowed "Prata vetra". Besides - it is made by my fine friends from "Vides filmu studija" - I love how they love their work:
http://www.li.lv/prezent_en.htm

woowoo... Tallinn airport lowered airport taxes... Easyjet starts flights from tallinn to berlin(from 27th october) and London(1 November), also, in other news, easyjet will start flights Riga-berlin! The fun part is, that tallinn airport is already overcrowded :) :) and yes, my living place is close to the airport, mmm Humm i always hear those flights take off, just now my sister landed - she came from Budapest! Cheers :cheers:

Our news agencies still do not say anything new. But everyone was sure that Easy Jet will fly both Riga and Tallinn, just the details were not clear.
Another fine news (not air travel though) - in next year will start regular ferry connection between Ventspils and Saaremaa. I still do not get why there is no connection Riga - Saaremaa, but Riga passenger harbour is beyond logics.

Yeah, wtf is all about Uzbekistan Airways flying to NewYork from Riga.... Does anybody know something more about it - i've read something on delfi but it was just a possibility i though. Now you are talking as if it really going to work out.

yeah i heard about that too, i just didnt know anything surtain, i only knew about some test ride... Kuressaare is a fine place! ALOT of tourists! I also wodnred why it was Kuressaare - Ventspils, why not Kuressaare - Riga... :(

Yeh, Uzbekistan Airways will fly Riga - New York - for sure. I read also that they tryed it before but failed economically. Now this deal with Uzbekistan Airlines envisages that Air Baltic in turn will get possibility to fly Bangkok and other Asian cities. But this is not 100% sure.
Btw. Uzbekistan Airlines is not considered to be very fine company... They do not have bad accidents but their service is not praised.

Uzbekistan Airways is all right. THey fly through Belgrade towards New York two or three times a week.

Nothing bad happened so far.
*knocks on wood*

I just read in the news today that beginning Novermber 25 Easy Jet will start daily service between Riga and Berlin (Schoenefeld Airport), the one way cost from Riga to Berlin 13.5 Lati or 20.5 Euros, which already includes airport charges. The national Latvian carrier airBaltic has already daily service to Berlin (Tegel Airport), but it will be more difficult to compete now.

More exciting news for Latvian air travel... Latvian airline airBaltic will start flights between Riga and Stutgart beginning October 31. This will be their 22nd destination out of Riga.
They will aslo continue to expand their routes out of their new second hub - Vilnius. Beginning November 1st airBaltic will fly from Vilnius to Munchen. This will be airBaltic's 12th destination out of Vilnius.

true... read this :righton:

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/news/20040830_01.html

wow, Tallinn airport is doing SUPER! in 8 months the airport has served 631.758 passengers, in 8 months last year it served 455.864 - thats a 38% increase... !!!!!! 5 new lines will open... MORE PASSENGERS!

Riga airport statistics report:
July 2004 - total passengers 110 000
2004 first 8 months - total passengers 648 000

I have mentioned a few days before that airBaltic will start their flights Riga - Stuttgart and Vilnius Munich this autumn. They just announced that they will open another route Vilnius-London beginning October 31. This will be their 11th destination from Vilnius.

Also before the end of this year airBaltic will open two more destinations from Riga, however it has not been disclosed which ones. Thus by the end of 2004 airBaltic will fly to 25 European cities out of Riga. They will aslo add 3 more destinations out of Vilnius by the end of the year.

Early next year airBaltic will start flying to three Medeterenian cities from Riga, but they do not mention which ones.

For the first 8 months of 2004 they have transported 360649 passengers which is 73% increase over the same period of the next year. It seems to me that airBaltic is the biggest airline (and the yougest too) of the Baltic States now! :righton:

That's good news because flights to London are very busy right now and we definitely need more. Another good news is that British Airways again starting flights Vilnius-London in spring 2005 :)

Yeah they will. I don't know why they stopped flying to Vilnius a couple of years ago. Route London-Riga was very lucrative for them (it will not be so lucrative anymore since Ryanair is coming to Riga, though).

Vilnius has surpassed Riga in 8 months count! I think, they got 1,5 thou more passengers over the 8 months this year than Riga

Vilnius has surpassed Riga in 8 months count! I think, they got 1,5 thou more passengers over the 8 months this year than Riga
Can't be truth :? do you know the exact count?

Gatis, where you got such info from, didn't hear anything about this? :?
If this is truth I'm afraid our poor Vilnius airport is going to reach full capacity this year (it's just over 1 million passengers per year), and the new terminal will open not earlier than in late 2006!

I read it is our business newspaper "Dienas bizness". They said that in AUgust Vilnius got enormous increase of people-flow - some 130 000 (OK, I know that Scandinavians might laugh at it, but comparing to what was before - this is enormous). This number helped to surpass Riga a little.

Well, finns are like 2nd population in Estonia, especially Tallinn ;)

Finns and Russians but they haven't overpowered the Estonian population yet :jk:

Check out and compare the websites of the airports:

http://www.riga-airport.com/

http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/

http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/

The suckers of VNO don't provide any statistics for 2004 in their website, while both Riga and Tallinn do :rant:

Click here (http://nosuch.org/images/Ass.jpg) for a picture of VNO airport.
[WARNING: Explicit content]

[picture not mine]

^^^

wow it looks really bad, only a major reconstruction could help :ohno:

Is it yours blimey? :D

^^^

wow it looks really bad, only a major reconstruction could help :ohno:

Yup.
Worst thing is, all decisions are made in that department as well!
VNO is the a*shole of Vilnius except that unlike people, cities dont necesserily have to have a*sholes!

@LatvianGG:

Nah, that's Vilnius's.

Now let's not become too tough on the place, guys! :nono:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Ryanair has announced that in February 2005 they will start flights Riga - Stockholm, costs some 20 EUR. Unfortunately they will land in airport some 140 km from Stockholm and bus ticket to Stockholm will cost 20 EUR additionally :)
Anyway this will be fine competition to Air Baltic - tickets cost some 65 EUR, and to Riga Shipping Lines - their ships end the travel in the center and cost some 35 EUR.

Ryanair announced that from September 2005 they will probably fly from Kaunas to 5 or 7 european cities.

At the end of September “Riga International Airport” won the “Airport Marketing Award” in the “to 5 million passengers” category at the annual “Routes” conference - the major aviation forum - in Madrid gathering representatives of international airports and main airlines of the world.This is an event for aviation professionals to discuss topical issues of the industry and meet for bilateral negotiations. “Routes” conferences are crucial to the planning of new routes.

In the first nine months of this year Riga Airport was the busiest in the Baltic States in terms of passengers according to press secretary of the airport Andris Darziņš.

In nine months the airport serviced 753 925 passengers, which is 41.7% more than in nine months of past year. Vilnius airport serviced a little less passengers - 753 805, which is 37,4% more compared to the last year. In Tallinn 725 049 passengers were serviced in first nine months of 2004.

Among the passengers of airport "Riga" more than half used to the national airline “airBaltic” - 395 233 people, which is 58% more, than in the nine months of the last year.

Airline “Latcharter” serviced 62 913 passengers, “Lufthansa” - 59 152, “Czech Airlines” - 50 562, “British Airways” - 46 535, “Finnair” - 46 425, “KLM Royal Dutch Airlines” - 31 145.

Most frequently the passengers flew from Riga to Copenhagen - 13%, to London - 10,1%, to Helsinki - 9%, to Prague - 7,7%, to Amsterdam - 6,3% and to Stockholm - 6%. Interest grew significantly towards Berlin, as, in comparison with nine months of the last year, 72.1% more passengers flew there.

Riga Airport was the busiest in terms of cargo as well, in the first 9 months of 2004 they processed - 7 160tons, which is less to 13,7%, than in the past year. In Tallinn the cargo volume increased by 4,8% to 3 757 tons, in Vilnius - by 2,5% to 3798 tons.

Thanks for the info LV ELF

Now can you tell where you get this info from? Vilnius Airport website doesn't bother to update their stats and provide only info of 2003 :rant:

Also the increases of passengers look impressive but the total number of passengers still seems to be very low compared even with Prague.

even with Prague? You guys surely think highly of yourselves;)

Just kidding.

Anyways, its been recently reported that Belgrade airport serviced 2.5 million people in the first eight months. Not like pre-1991 levels but getting there:)

@ John: I got information from an interview posted on Delfi.lv a few days ago. Yeah maybe Riga/Vilnius/Tallinn airports are slower compared to Prague, but you have to remember the sizes and the populations of our countries. Also we did not have an independent aviation prior to 1990, and Latvian airBaltic appeared even later in 1996, i think.
Yeah, Riga airport has an excellent site and they update it regularly with the news and statistics. It is always a pleasure to browse through it :).

@Komendantant Mark: Riga airport is expected to serve 2 Million passengers next year, so we should do a good job in closing the gap with with Belgrade's 2.5 million...

2 mio passengers by next year is unreal. wont happen... mby 1.5... but 2 mio is just way too much... but no one knows how easyjet will do

we have had wicked growth!... mby 1 mio by this year... thats great... considering 700 000 last year... but most flow comes in Summers, in spring stuff quiets down, then again, tallinn has been a very popular location for winter too, i bet riga and vilnius too, since old towns are exceptionally nice when covered with snow!

Mark: belgrade has 1.6mio inhabitants... tallinn 400 000... so... basically we rock :D

"Belgrade airport serviced 2.5 million people in the first eight months." Are you sure about this? If Belgrade is a city of 1.6 million people - and the capital city - how is it possible that Helsinki-Vantaa airport's number has been around 10 million passengers (give or take a million) per year? Are you people sure of the figures you've presented? I am no expert, but it does strike me a bit odd.

FINNISH people are richer, so they tend to travel more :)

I remembered wrong. Apparently the annual number of passengers of Helsinki-Vantaa is actually 13 mio, and the airport has capasity of 15 million. I think the biggest airport in the nordic countries is Arlanda in Stockholm. IF I remember correctly Arlanda's annual passenger number is around 20 million. :)

@ch1le: I think 2 million is realisic figure considering that Easy Jet will start fly to Riga-Berlin soon and Ryan Air will begin their flights to the three destinations in just a months. They should add 2 more early next year from RIX.
Also Vantaa is so heavily used not only because the Finish people are richer but also as a major transit hub. That adds huge additional passenger numbers to the airport. Transit passengers is what the Baltic airports should be thinking of and evenutally doing.

That's correct - Helsinki and Stockholm are both major transit airports. For example, a lot of latvian people flying to Northern America usually are flying through Helsinki or Copenhagen. But according to some information, soon there will be a straight connection from Riga to Northern America - the very well known and famous (:D) Uzbekistan Airways are said to start a new route Tashkent - Riga - New York. A lot of people are still taking it more as a rumour.

@ch1le: Riga next year 2 mln passengers? There are some reasons to believe it:
- Ryanair starting to fly from end this year to 4 destinations: Tampere, London-Stansted, Frankfurt-Hahn and Stockholm-Skavsta later on. More new routes are planned to start next year. This will be the most important passenger stream boost.
- Easyjet will start to fly to Berlin-Schoenefeld. More routes might appear next year, but this is still not confirmed though.
- AirBaltic still planning to expand it's business.
- Like other new EU memberstates, Latvia is expecting a fast growing tourist curiousity - this means also more passengers to Riga Airport.
- Riga Airport is continuing it's started campaign (less airport tax) to bring new low-cost airlines which also might result in new airlines and new routes.
- Possible new route Tashkent-Riga-NewYork, still no new information about this.

Some reasons why there could appear some problems to reach those 2 mln:
- Rising oil prices might result in more expensive tickets, AirBaltic has already raised their ticket prices by +- 8 Euro.
- A growing lack of hotel space in Riga. If there soon will not appear numerous new hotels and accomodations in Riga, the ice-hockey world championsships might have problems with accomodating it's attendants. Especially lower class (2 and 3 star) hotels hardly needed.
- Tallinn and Vilnius might give Riga in future even harder competition for a status of Baltic's major airport.

BTW - I JUST LOVE THIS LOGO:
http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9471/rix_logo_medium.jpg

[QUOTE=LatvianGG]That's correct - Helsinki and Stockholm are both major transit airports.QUOTE]

So, let me get this straight, Helsinki-Vantaa is relatively big airport, because it actually gets passengers who aren't even planning to go to Helsinki?! :D Well that certainly explains a lot...

@Moolio: You got it... With this airports earn more money ;-)

According to the latest news, in October 15th (tomorrow) at about 3 p.m. Vilnius airport will receive 800,000th passenger this year. In the middle of December the number should increase to 900,000 passengers.

It is even funny how our airports are close...
Data from 1st January - 30th September 2004, according to Latvian newspaper "Dienas bizness":

Riga - 753 925 passengers (+41,7% comparing to previous year)
Vilnius - 753 805 (+37,4%)
Tallinn - 725 049 (+38,6%)

wicked growth! a bit surprised to see Vilnius so close to riga considering that The hard time lithuanians, specially some guys, giving it...

According to the latest news, in October 15th (tomorrow) at about 3 p.m. Vilnius airport will receive 800,000th passenger this year. In the middle of December the number should increase to 900,000 passengers.
So perhaps during 2005 - 2006 "season" Vilnius airport will reach 1000000 or even a bit more.

Jimm.. lol with a growth of 40 % it will be alot more

I believe Vilnius should receive up to 1.5 million passengers next year if the growth will remain as strong. Some new airlines and new routes are about to begin so I believe the growth rate should remain at around 40%. It's another question if RyanAir is about to come next year to Lithuania. They are going to use Kaunas airport which has excelllent runway (better than Vilnius) and is more centrally located. So this might bring Kaunas airport to a new life because currently it's kinda struggling between "be" or "not to be".

Jimm.. lol with a growth of 40 % it will be alot more
But you see as Ryanair is comming to Kaunas next september(?) that is why significant part of passengers may be be taken from Vilnius Airport. Ryanair will fly to 5 countiris (probably in Ireland, Britain Germany .....). Ant those countires are the main destination for our people that is why as i said it might happen that our Vilnius airport might loose some travellers.

In Finland Ryanair uses Tampere-Pirkkala airport. I think they want to use small airports, because they are cheaper than big international ones. As I wrote the other day, Helsinki-Vantaa's serves 13 million passengers per year, while Tampere-Pirkkala only around 300'000. The airport is growing somewhat fast only because of Ryanair, while Helsinki-Vantaa tries to attract new customers with the largest number of direct destinations in any northern European airport, and by constructing the Airport city business district near the airport.

But you see as Ryanair is comming to Kaunas next september(?) that is why significant part of passengers may be be taken from Vilnius Airport. Ryanair will fly to 5 countiris (probably in Ireland, Britain Germany .....). Ant those countires are the main destination for our people that is why as i said it might happen that our Vilnius airport might loose some travellers.

I don't think RyanAir would organize THAT many flights so that Vilnius airport would loose passengers (it's yet the question IF they will come next year). Also BA is (re)starting flights from Vilnius in spring as well as AirBaltic is starting flights to London so the growth should remain if not increase.

You guys still gotta drink a lot of milk...to catch up to Brnik Airport in Ljubljana, Slovenia;)

January to September - 812.397 passengers
Growth of 11.3%

I remembered wrong. Apparently the annual number of passengers of Helsinki-Vantaa is actually 13 mio, and the airport has capasity of 15 million. I think the biggest airport in the nordic countries is Arlanda in Stockholm. IF I remember correctly Arlanda's annual passenger number is around 20 million. :)

Minor correction ;)

Total amount of passengers - 2003:
Copenhagen-Kastrup: 17.714.007
Stockholm-Arlanda: 15.113.505
Oslo-Gardermoen: 13.646.890
Helsinki-Vantaa: 13.193.194

Copenhagen-Kastrup is expected to reach 19+ million this year...

Thanks for all for interesting statistics

Especially Hvala for Kommandant Mark
You guys still gotta drink a lot of milk...to catch up to Brnik Airport in Ljubljana, Slovenia;)
January to September - 812.397 passengers
Growth of 11.3%
Some more figures from Brnik / Ljubljana airport:
Source:http://www.lju-airport.si/eng/vsebina.asp?IDM=153
Passengers (1999 - 2003)
1999 - 895.540
2000 - 991.693
2001 - 894.130
2002 - 872.966
2003 - 928.397
What's about growing since 2000?
At least everyone can compare figures of growing passenger number in Baltics and in Slovenija.

Unfortunately only figures of two weeks of August were compared in website of Beograd airport.
It is impossible to compare figures of different years.

@tictac: Thanks. I looked up some stats and yes, you're right Kastrup is the biggest. I can't understand why Arlanda's total amount is only 15 million (as opposed to Helsinki-Vantaa's and Gardermoen's 13 million), though. I remember vividly it being larger a few years ago (but then again I've been known to make mistakes in stuff like this). Perhaps it has lost passengers to some other Swedish airport? Do you know, by the way, what's the second biggest Danish airport?

Nema problema, Romas:)

Yeah, the "growth"(if you can call it that) at Ljubljana Airport is weird...you'd think there'd be more of it, since the country just entered EU and more airlines are flying there.

I also can't understand why the number of passengers is in decline after year 2000.

@tictac: Thanks. I looked up some stats and yes, you're right Kastrup is the biggest. I can't understand why Arlanda's total amount is only 15 million (as opposed to Helsinki-Vantaa's and Gardermoen's 13 million), though. I remember vividly it being larger a few years ago (but then again I've been known to make mistakes in stuff like this). Perhaps it has lost passengers to some other Swedish airport? Do you know, by the way, what's the second biggest Danish airport?

Actually, you're right about Stockholm-Arlanda having more passengers a few years back, same with Copenhagen-Kastrup and most of the major airports within Scandinavia ;)

However, I don't believe Arlanda lost any passengers as a result of other swedish airports gaining in total amount of passengers.
Airports around the globe declined considerably in terms of passengers and freight due to 9/11 and the financial instabilities :(

The secondary hub in Denmark is currently Billund Airport, it's located in Jutland and is expected to serve around 1.8 (1.6 last year) million passengers this year.

What's the current situation in Finland? ;)

The 9/11, right... :(

The second biggest airport in Finland currently is Oulu, which serves no more than 600k, or so a year. I doubt it will stay the 2nd biggest very long, though. Tampere-Pirkkala airport is used by Ryanair, and thus has been growing almost by the month recently. Of course the much more central location of Pirkkala also is a factor.

Pleso airport in Zagreb, Croatia recently had its 1.000.000th passenger:)

Come'n guys, you gotta drink more milk;)

Dubrovnik Airport (city of ~50.000) - January to September - 751.112 passengers.

Of course, its only a seasonal airport, as you see from this graph.

Horizontal line are months, vertical line represents total passengers for that month.

http://www.airport-dubrovnik.hr/grafikon08.gif

Nema problema, Romas:)

Yeah, the "growth"(if you can call it that) at Ljubljana Airport is weird...you'd think there'd be more of it, since the country just entered EU and more airlines are flying there.

I also can't understand why the number of passengers is in decline after year 2000.

I think I can answer that. The slump in tourism in Slovenia a few years ago is, believe it or not, closely connected to Kosovo. Because CNN & co. were reporting about violence in the region, a lot of people, not knowing the country, decided not to come here. And that's the only actual effect the Kosovo crisis had on us...

Ljubljana airport is finally starting to get renovated and enlarged. They are building a new parking garage (we had none until now, only two open parking lots), which will be finished in November 2004, and a new terminal is going to go under construction in 2005, if I'm not mistaken. Eventually, they are planning to expand the airport with a new runway parallel to the current one and by linking the airport with the motorway and railway networks (right now only a small road leads to the airport, and it's not in the best of conditions).
More info: http://www.lju-airport.si/eng/vsebina.asp?IDM=155

One more new destination from Riga: airBaltic will start to fly Riga-Geneva beginning December 18. Also they will increase frequency of flights on most of their existing routes beginning October 31.

Thai Airways consider Riga as their European hub
In this week Riga airport and Thai airways are discussing the potential of Riga as airline hub for this SE Asian airline company. Turns out that the price/quality ratio and geographical location of Riga airport could be the most beneficial for SE Asian airline companies.
Impatiently waiting positive outcome...

Delfi.lv reports that Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair launches it's first flights from Riga today. For now Ryanair will fly daily to London, Frankfurt and Tampere, and beginning next year to Stockholm.

Also another remarkable thread in Delfi.lv:

Uzbekistan Airways flies today for the first time from Tashkent through Riga to New York. As there was said, the flight will be made by a Boeing plane (probably 757) and will carry 70 passengers from Tashkent and 5 from Riga. This is remarkable, because until today there were no clearancea bout wether this route will be made or not. And now suddenly it seems already today they start this whole thing. Pretty weard....

That does sound weird alright, LatvianGG! The passenger numbers don't make any economic sense at all.

I think I said earlier in this thread that I would avoid this connection, and I think I'll stick by that statement, although it was challenged. :)

Not the amount of passengers look weard to me but the very few information available about this New York route. I kinda expected some at least some marketing activities, but as it seems now they won't make any or will do that later (why?). And this is also weard is you consider that AirBaltic has a finger is the mush, and they are very active in marketing, ads aver all media.

rrr... im just wondering how can a 757 go from Riga to NY... doesnt make sense, not enough fuel by a longshot.

O well! Thanks for your thoghts, and you've convinced me once again: I'll stick to the more traditional routes and carriers. :cool:

rrr... im just wondering how can a 757 go from Riga to NY... doesnt make sense, not enough fuel by a longshot.

I read later on the riga airport website, they use 767....

767 seems more realistic.

Arlanda International airport of Stockholm, Sweden

http://www.airport-borispol.kiev.ua/.db/7502/stockholm-arlanda-airport.jpg
An aerial of the airport.

http://usuarios.lycos.es/Gilber/photogallery/photo7719/TWR%20arlanda.jpg
Arlanda airport controll tower.

http://www.eriksrailnews.com/stuff/x3.jpg
Arlanda express (Airport train linking Arlanda airport with Stockholm central, Stockholm's main train station)

rrr... im just wondering how can a 757 go from Riga to NY... doesnt make sense, not enough fuel by a longshot.

Yeah, they actually fly 767-300, not 757 on New York - Riga - Tashkent route

Latvian airline airBaltic is changing its image to a more sleek and modern one... They just repainted their new Boeing 737-500. Eventually all of their fleet will be repainted in these colours. I am not sure if I like yet, but it seems nice.

They have a nice powerpoint presentation on the airBaltic's website news section (http://)

The New Colours of airBaltic:
http://www.airbaltic.com/upload_pic/image_gallery/large/aircraft1_500.jpg

And here is their old colours:
http://www.berlin-spotter.de/news/nov2003/airbaltic735.jpg

@mantaz....
no selfrespecting finn goes to tallinn via airport they can buy a first class ticket on a ship for the same money on a ship and they get 3 extra peons(stjuardesses) per person

@mantaz....
no selfrespecting finn goes to tallinn via airport they can buy a first class ticket on a ship for the same money on a ship and they get 3 extra peons(stjuardesses) per person
Sorry, how old is the message you just replied to? :D

In order to serve six millions passengers in 2010, it is necessary to invest more than 70 million LVL (approx € 48 Mil, or $37 Mil) into airport “Riga” according to an interview given by Dzintars Pomers—president of airport—to the newspaper “Dienas Bizness”.

Only in North Terminal it is necessary to invest LVL 5.6 Mil (€ 4.0 Mil). It is planned to finish its construction at the end of 2005.

Vice premier of Latvian Government Ainars Šlesers made the forecast about increase in number of passengers up to six millions in 2010 and two millon in 2005. However, Dzintars Pomers does not share his optimism. He predicts that in 2005 airport “Riga” can serve only 1.4-1.5 million passengers. If there are less passengers than that the airport will have problems with its credit obligations.

Pomers in conversation with the newspaper has noted that at the moment the airport is capable to serve maximum 1.5 million passengers. He also said that, since it is expected that airport “Riga” will server 1 million passenger this year the airport’s current capacity is coming to an end. Therefore construction of North Terminal, which will be able to serve additional serve 500 000 passengers began, eventully will not be sufficient.

The plan for development of the airport provides erection of two more terminals which in total will serve additional 1.5 million passengers. However, this plan was developed 5 years ago and did not envision rapid growth in passenger numbers at the Riga airport.

Sorry, how old is the message you just replied to? :D

im thinking 2 months min :D

@LV ELF - you calculated wrong. 72 mio LVL to be invested in Riga airport makes 108 millions EUR.
Riga airport has contracted Consulting Department of Wien airport for 50 000 EUR to make investment plan.

Btw. Riga airport in first 10 months this year has transported 851 thousands. In October - 97 thousands of people. Sure that in November the results would be better.

@LV ELF - you calculated wrong. 72 mio LVL to be invested in Riga airport makes 108 millions EUR.


Indeed, I calculated wrong. Thanks for catching this, Gatis. :bash: :bash: :bash:

The name AirBaltic.com sounds like a budget airline

The name AirBaltic.com sounds like a budget airline

Well, they are somewhere in between of budget airline and a normal one. The tickets are available pretty cheap and in the same time in the same planes they offer also expensive business class seats (i really don't see the difference of the seats, must be other services). But it works out well, they are quickly growing and developing.

Air Baltic will start flying Riga - Stambul in March next year :)
In 10 months this year the No. of passengers in Riga has increased per 41,6% (851 084), there have been 22 590 flights (+38,8%).

good news!

Still no Paris.... Does really noone wants to go there? Or are the taxes in CH.deGaulle airport too high? :ohno:

Just try to beat that!:
According to the strategy prepared by communication ministry in the optimistic variant all airports of Lithuania (Lithuania has three international airports in: Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga) in 2015 year will serve 3,22 million passengers. :uh:

doesnt seem good... by that tallinn will get 4mio easy(lol, more even, growth 40%) :P how could they have reported such a pessimistic variant?!

That's a load of shit, that prognosis. Everybody i know who read that were either looking really confused or were laughing histerically. This is just not possible.

yes, that really sounds bullshit

In 10 months of 2004 the numbers of passengers in Baltic airports are following:

Riga: 851,084 (41.56% increase)
Vilnius: 843,802 (37.4% increase)
Tallinn: 817,655 (37.5% increase)

source (in Lithuanian): http://www.delfi.lt/news/economy/automoto/article.php?id=5439098

good figures!

Seems like there's finally some good news about LAL.
Their management team has been sacked as part of the privatization process.
There are two bad news though:
first is that the new management team doesnt look much better
second is that theres rumours that Aeroflot [monopolistic company controlled by Russian oligarchs] wants to buy LAL [but thats only rumours]

@blimey
what is the source of those rumors? Isn't it delfi comments section? ;) I though that guy was joking (well I hope he was because otherwise it really sucks very bad :| )

good figures!
indeed, especially for Tallinn. Tallinn gets almost the same amount of passengers as Vilnius even though Tallinn is smaller and Estonia is more than twice smaller than Lithuania, plus there are many more Lithuanians abroad who are constantly flying home and vice versa. I'm wondering where the hell those Estonians are flying to/from? :?

John, arr, dunno, mby we like to travel, pretty much all flights out of this place to warm countries are allways full... f.e ill go to canary islands this winter (i travel in summers and winters, so i been to like 20 countries by plane)But tallinn tends to get more advertisments from abroad then Vilnius... so many times i have opened newsweek or something else too see "Tallinn - perfect party place, dance til sundown" so on...
and estonia has just 1 internation airport(not for long, mby) when Lithuania has 3!

@John:yeah, but tjat "Andrelis" kid who seems to be really smart confirmed it.
I tend to trust that guy.

Nothing concrete yet...
Russian airport Domodedovo (one of Moscow airports) is discussing with unnamed Latvian airline company the possibility to have all the flights to Scandinavia through Riga. (OK, we have numeroues airline companies, yeas, OK, yeah yeah. We have Air Baltic. Then we have also Air Baltic and then one more - Air Baltic.)

There are several reasons for this - low prices of Air Baltic tickets, low price of Riga airport, compliance of Air Baltic planes with EU requirements.

Parliament has supported to lift the passenger tax in Riga airport
Parliament has supported the first reading of changes in law "About aviation" and "About taxes". The changes will lift the current tax for passengers using the airport "Riga".
This will decrease the costs of tickets for passengers and increase the share of people using the airport. This will highly increase the rentability of potential inland lines.
Current passenger tax can increase the price on Ryanair ticket per some 150%.

At the same time - even if Riga airport will increase turnover of passengers per 50% each year, only after 15 years it will become hub of European importance :(

I opened www.airbaltic.lt today and could not believe my eyes, they're offering 1000 tickets from Vilnius to London, Hamburg, Munich, Oslo and other cities for 5LTL (1GBP) for period of November 11-21. :crazy:. So including airport tax this would be around 20GBP for one-way flight.

I was in Vilnius airport today evening to arrange some things and took a couple of snaps of departure hall. Nothing interesting, just to have an idea how it looks like...

http://img109.exs.cx/img109/5126/IMG_7140.jpg

http://img109.exs.cx/img109/245/IMG_7142.jpg

Hey looks nice! i was expecting something more communist actually!

Hey looks nice! i was expecting something more communist actually!

something more communist like tupolovs and antonovs all around? :clown:

It's built in 1993 so it's not exactly communist ;)
Although it's still not what Vilnius actually needs.

really, 1993?! i was a little disappointed when i arrived in 98 ;)
Tallinn airport was built in the 80s!

@John some plans to go abroad? ;)

@John some plans to go abroad? ;)

Maybe, who knows ;)
Anyway I'll let all know if I'll have such plans :)

EasyJet starts flying Riga-Berlin, completed the access road to airport
EasyJet will fly Riga - Berlin (Schoenefeld) every day, airplane "Airbus 319". Costs in one direction with all taxes - 20,49 EUR.

Yesterday officially was opened the reconstructed access road (for cars) to "Riga" airport. This year here have been invested 4,8 mio EUR, the multiple roads and reconstructed and new bridges look really fine.

Yesterday also "Gulf Stream Oil" has officially opened 3 mio EUR worth aviation fuel station - most modern in this region. The reservoirs are located under the earth.

Riga, 29.11.2004 - On December 15, the Latvian airline airBaltic will launch direct flights to Russia’s second leading business centre, St Petersburg. This will be the 21st direct route for airBaltic from its hub in Riga, and the second route to Russia.

“We are pleased that we can expand the network of airBaltic routes not only to the West, but also to the East. The Russian market will always be important to Latvia, and I am convinced that direct airBaltic flights to and from St Petersburg will serve the interests of Latvia’s business circles. We also think that this route will help to promote tourism between Latvia and Russia,” said airBaltic president Bertolt Flick.

The flights to and from St Petersburg will be based on a code share system with the airline Pulkovo. It will have the right to sell tickets for airBaltic routes from St Petersburg to Riga. Initially there will be four direct flights per week to St Petersburg, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The pricing structure will be based on one-way travel, with tickets costing as little as LVL 49 or EUR 70(including airport fees) in each direction.

As is the case with direct flights from Riga to Milan, Cologne, Manchester and Stuttgart, airBaltic is the first and only airline to offer regular flights between Riga and St Petersburg. Passengers will travel in a Fokker 50 aircraft, and the flight will last around one hour and 35 minutes. Tickets are available from airBaltic ticketing offices, the airline’s homepage on the Internet, as well as all travel agencies.

During the course of 2004, airBaltic has opened nine new direct routes from Riga and 11 from Vilnius.

Today airBaltic starts flying Riga-Geneve (jeez, is this a bragging thread or what?). Costs starts from 80 EU one direction.

Latest statistics from Riga:
January - November 2004 - 955 000 passengers. In November 104 000 passengers. Not that big increase as I expected... but increase anyway. For comparison - November 2003 - 57 000 passengers.

25 010 aircraft movements (in 2003 in total - 19 504).

AirBaltic rules.
Gotta love that company.
But then they did make some strange choices recently. Riga - Geneve? Hmm, i fail to see how its gonna work. But good luck to them anyway, they really kicked LAL's ass and i'm really happy about it.

Riga-Geneve is for our skiing enthusiasts. In spring time Air Baltic will look whether to continue this in summer.

Well there are enough latvian people living in Switzerland to time to time fill the airplane.... I know some too.

I heared the rumors, that Ryanair will start to fly next year from Kaunas, to the same destinations they are flying from Riga, plus they will fly to Rome too....

Sad that they don't make any flight from Riga to Southerb Europe too....Riga needs lots of Southereuropean tourists and their money.

Well, from waht I 've heard, only a bunch of italian single and horny men are interested into a city-trip Riga after visiting inbox.lv chat servers :D Maybe some people from Spain want to see some snow in wintertime or something, but for that purpose thay can also go to Andorra or the Alp-countries (Austria, Switzerland, France, etc) :D
Maybe in a bit further future there will be some more interest from southern Europeans.

Sad that they don't make any flight from Riga to Southerb Europe too....Riga needs lots of Southereuropean tourists and their money.

I can fly Faro-London-Riga

Sad that they don't make any flight from Riga to Southerb Europe too....Riga needs lots of Southereuropean tourists and their money.

The thing is that Ryanair due to its nature of having really cheap tickets does not attract many tourists who are willing to spend a lot of money while traveling. Most of them are either students (who tend to stay in hostels anyway) or families with many of their own expesnses. But that is better than nothing, I guess

The thing is that Ryanair due to its nature of having really cheap tickets does not attract many tourists who are willing to spend a lot of money while traveling. Most of them are either students (who tend to stay in hostels anyway) or families with many of their own expesnses. But that is better than nothing, I guess

The point of tourists that come to algarve is that when they come on vacations they pay the whole package, like flight+hotel+meals+transports and so on, so airliners like ryanair and easyjet dont really catch many tourists.

airBaltic is going to initiate a direct airway to Istambul. I'm starting to love this company too :D

haha Mantaz, lets call Asimov here :)

Czech Airlines in March start flying Riga - Roma. Finally more South Europe. It's a pitty that Air Baltic did not do it.
- - -
Comparison of three large Baltic airports this year (until the end of November):

Passengers:
Riga - 955 247 (+45,2%)
Vilnius - 919 775 (+37,4%)
Tallinn - 908 086 (+37,5%)

Flights:
Riga - 25 010 (+39,5%)
Tallinn - 24 395 (+1,6%)
Vilnius - 21 660 (+26,8%)

In November 2004 Riga serviced 82,7% more people than in November 2003.

Well, Czech Airlines has bad reputation, working as a tour guide I experienced, that everytime some from my group traveling with Czech Airlines lost his/ her luggage. AirBaltic would be better, I will be happy to see many rich Italians next year in Riga's pubs and restaurants and italians - they are the most lavish ones. Not like Finns or Swedes, who always are close with their money.

[QUOTE=Gatis]Czech Airlines in March start flying Riga - Roma. Finally more South Europe. It's a pitty that Air Baltic did not do it.

In November 2004 Riga serviced 82,7% more people than in November 2003.[/QUOTE

Well couple weeks ago - some friends from UK visited me, finally... and just because there was this Ryanair route. Not that they are poor or students, no. Actually one of them spent about 300 pounds in one evening in bars discos,restaurant. There are just poeple who prefere to spare on flight ticket and spend this money buying something else. Yesterday I was around midnight in Old Town. On the main pedestrian street were not many poeple, but I was surprised that almost all of them were english speaking and they were not like students or something. It was something unusual a year ago.

And statistics shows in Novemer more than 80% more passengers in airport that last november - it's all Ryanair.

Ryanair doesn't mean that that now we have achieved our maximum in tourism. Not at all. But it is significant development and gain for all tourism industry here and the poeple of the city, who hopefully will take the advantage of the more and more coming tourists.

The thing is that Ryanair due to its nature of having really cheap tickets does not attract many tourists who are willing to spend a lot of money while traveling. Most of them are either students (who tend to stay in hostels anyway) or families with many of their own expesnses. But that is better than nothing, I guess

Well this summer according to statics of Riga Tourism information center, italian tourists were the next after Germans and Scandinavians. And you could see it on the streets. Don't know why (I suppose most of them before xoming here have no idea how beautiful it is here :), but they ARE really comming here.

And single horny man? - Well, I heard that f.e. in UK Riga is seen as the best place to have stag night in Europe. Cheap alcohol, beautiful, soemtimes also cheap, hornier-than-anywhere-else girls... if that's something attracting people no mater italians or swedes or whatever, I can imagine nobody who is losing something in this situation, only the men and only their money, all the others are gaining. So don't underestimate horny single italian man as a potential visitor.


Well, from waht I 've heard, only a bunch of italian single and horny men are interested into a city-trip Riga after visiting inbox.lv chat servers :D

Somehow I am not too happy with Riga becoming sex-tourism capital. I understand that this means some money... but this means also increase of influence of organised crime.

Somehow I am not too happy with Riga becoming sex-tourism capital. I understand that this means some money... but this means also increase of influence of organised crime.

More money? only is prostitution is legalised otherwise as tax free only pimps make the real money there

No, here is meant money left by these visitors in cafe's, pubs, hotels, taxi driving etc. But I think that it is little income in comparison with the bad image of the country.

No, here is meant money left by these visitors in cafe's, pubs, hotels, taxi driving etc. But I think that it is little income in comparison with the bad image of the country.

Well, of course I am not referring to prostitution as such. Just the girls really LOOK sexier here than in many places in Western Europe. And as share of women in society is the biggest in the world (Latvia is even in Guinness record book with the biggest proportion of women in society) so there is not so much competition. It all makes Riga a perfect place for horny single men.

About image - it is an important thing, but we can create it ourselves. It's possible to control it. Like - you can call Riga as a "city of cheap prostitution" = bad! But you can also say "Riga - The REALY hottest nightlife in Europe" = GOOD, although both mean more or less the same. But there must be professionals and big money invested. Definitely.


And Riga must have diverse images to implement in advertising. For each target group corresponding one.

Yesterday Riga Airport had it's 1 000 000th passenger this year...
Next year they plan to have 2 000 000, and in 2010 about 5-6 mln.

1 000 000! WOW WOW... id like to see you double it, imo its impossible!

I think that way too. We can bet. I would say that next year in Riga - 1,6 mio passengers. And then already the airport would nearly burst from people.

1.6 seems more probable..
Great, our airports are expanding, soon tallinn will overrun Vantaa and take over the world!... well, no... but still... with this growth staying the way it is...

Even 1.6mio is quite optimistic figure. This means the growth should be ~60% what is not a very easily reachable goal. But we'll see.
I'd say 1.4million is a more realistic possibility :)

Let's see after one year. To reach 1,6 mio there is needed the same increase as in this year - around 50%. In June - December the main limiting factor for further increase of passengers has been the low number of hotels in Riga - it is hard to get any place. But some 60 hotels are u/c or in project stage.
- - -
In press conference there was also told that next boom of activities is expected around March. There are expected several new companies in Riga, including one cheap airline. But the main key to success in Riga is local "Air Baltic" - if they will succeed, airport will develop.
There are not expected numerous new destinations over the next year. The existing ones would be strenghtened.

well, 1 thing is certain... Riga airport will be the main hub in the baltic area for sure!

well, 1 thing is certain... Riga airport will be the main hub in the baltic area for sure!

Probably, they even have their national airline named after the region name: Air Baltic :)

Air Baltic could be something like SAS and the main hub based in Copenhagen to serve all scandinavian countries.

Let's see after one year. To reach 1,6 mio there is needed the same increase as in this year - around 50%. In June - December the main limiting factor for further increase of passengers has been the low number of hotels in Riga - it is hard to get any place. But some 60 hotels are u/c or in project stage.


60 hotels?? :eek2: WOW

it is hard to get any place. But some 60 hotels are u/c or in project stage.

Damn it, how come Im not designing any of those 60? Am I missing something here??? :eek2:

Yeah, 60. :) But only 1 highrise. There are rumours about two more highrise hotels under preparation.
Air Baltic is to large extent owned by SAS, btw. State is going to sell its share soon.

tallinn is getting largest 5 star hotel in the area and its in One of the twins! so beat that!!!!! tallinn has like 4 hotel highrises, Radisson sas, viru, olümpia and soon tt2!

@ch1le: Wow, that's great! It's unbeatable! :runaway:

60 hotels is not that good as in Tallinn but still it's ok. ;)

If seriously: How many places are in hotels today in our capitals? And how many places are planned? (time for which it's planned should be also included)

ch1le, how big that new hotel is going to be?

I found some statistics from Vilnius. In first half of 2004 year there were: 57 hotels and 13 guest houses. Total number of rooms: 3632. Total number of places: 6996

It would be interesting to compare these stats to stats of Riga and Tallinn. - data should be given from about the same time (2004 first half) because everything is changing quite fast. Vilnius is probably at the end in this sphere if we compare it to Riga and Tallinn. Am I right?

Hotels in Vilnius tend to be set up in the oldtown and considering that our oldtown is a big one, there's no big demand to build highrises, because the ones in the oldtown are more popular ;)

The problem is that there are lots of unused places left for hotels in the oldtown so I don't think we'll get a highrise in nearest future :|

That's maybe an explantion why Tallinn gets a number of hotel highrises :)

tallinn, i guess has less hotels then riga, but we have big hotels, and not that many scattered in old towns, as in vilnius, with most of the hotels in old town - well, how much can a house in the old town capacitate anyhoo'?

John, the hotel that will move in the building is not known! Kept a secret.. but im suspecting Hilton... recently there have been alot of job applications/ads in the newspapers, large ones, with Hilton on it, and i have investigated some of them, none refer to a new hotel or anything, but a Hilton advert in paper - erm, there arent any hilton hotels in Tallinn! But at the same time it might be job applications for Hiltons international reservations worldwide filial in tallinn...

I found some statistics from Vilnius. In first half of 2004 year there were: 57 hotels and 13 guest houses. Total number of rooms: 3632. Total number of places: 6996

It would be interesting to compare these stats to stats of Riga and Tallinn. - data should be given from about the same time (2004 first half) because everything is changing quite fast. Vilnius is probably at the end in this sphere if we compare it to Riga and Tallinn. Am I right?

You're right :yes:
from Tallinn tourism website
As of October 15, 2004 there were 241 certified accommodation establishments in Tallinn (4,932 rooms / 9,237 beds), including 43 hotels (4,227 rooms / 7,908 beds), 19 guesthouses (199 rooms / 373 beds), 10 hostels (187 rooms / 372 beds), 158 guest apartments (277 rooms / 481 beds), 10 B&B’s (24 rooms / 47 beds) and 1 campground (18 rooms / 56 beds).

couldn't find any stats for Riga

Whats an hostel? whats the difference between a guesthouse and b&b? btw, are brothels on those statisics too?

i doubt that brothels are in the list :D A hostel is generally a very low grade hotel (lol) and services mostly students and stuff, and you might not get your own room, but have to share it with one... Gueshouse and bb.. well, its a long story! :)

I was working in touragency in summer as guide in all three countries and I heard from my colleages - the worst situation with hotels is in Riga. Just not enough places in hotels in high season. We need couple of big highrise hotels near old town , but as all around old town, there is just no palce to build it because of historical buildings, this is hard to realise. It would be very good investment by somebody in hotel bussiness. it is money lying on the earth ad waiting for somebody to pick it up...

I think the offic tower of ministery of agriculture could change its lcoation for somewhere else and this towe4r could be used as hotel. It has many advantages - it is very enar old town, it has wonderfull view on old town and river. If the toursist won't find hotels - theu won't come here no matter hwo cheap will the flight be.

Hehe, I wish I had a couple of millions euro.... I know this thing about hotels very well my friends..... Only problem - $$$$$$.....:(
But who knows what future will bring. I really want to have my own hotel in Riga in the future.

well vilnius and kaunas airport's are doin much better with each year, there is a plan to reconstruct them, make larger, buil a longer track for planes, there is also a very ambitious project of a new airport, witch would be as a part of vilnius kaunas dipolis infrastructure. it would be one of the biggest airports in easter and northern europe, fast train rail from vilnius to kaunas would be build, also connecting new airport, it would be located 40 km from both vilnius and kaunas, but with fast rail, you could get into vilnius centre by 10 - 15 minutes (just like now). this whole airport theme was started to escalate in lithuania, when president BUSH arrived in vilnius and for some time they didn't knew whether the AIRFORSE 1 would land on vilnius airport track (knowing the size of AF1 :D )

I wish I had $$$ too :)

As we both don't have, we can't be investors - not everybody can be investor :)

But I bellieve there are poeple who have money and not only abroad, the prorblem is why aren't they makeing investments. Many small hotels - it is good and must be there too. But a city like Riga definitely need some mor highrise hotels otherwise the problme with hotels wioll remain.

Hehe, I wish I had a couple of millions euro.... I know this thing about hotels very well my friends..... Only problem - $$$$$$.....:(
But who knows what future will bring. I really want to have my own hotel in Riga in the future.

Up to now I could find only the list of proposals in Riga tourism website www.rigatourism.lv - there were listed 101 hotels with some 7 600 beds. Do not know any better data.

According to Central Statistical bureau of Latvia at the end of 2003 there were 94 hotels in Riga and Jurmala, 5103 rooms, 9752 beds.

www.delfi.lv published today the totals of 2004.

In year 2004 Riga Airport had total 1 060 426 passengers (49% growth), in 2003 it was 711 753.
Total aircraft movements: 2004: 27 325 (40,1% growth)
In 2003 it was 19 504.
Only cargo numbers have decreased from 13 534 tonns in 2003 to 8752 in 2004 (-35,3%) but this is due to extreme huge cargo carried in october and november 2003, and if you don't count those 2 months, there is a growth last year in this sector as well.
Last year Riga Airport welcomed 6 new airlines and opened 14 new direct routes.
Latvian traffic minister expects Riga Airport to serve about 2 000 000 passengers in 2005.

cargo isnt important anyway latvianGG, the cargo inputs we had were rememnant of the Soviet era and its logical they are dropping Tallinn airport also registers 30-40% less cargo each year

In December Riga airport served 105 179 people. Year ago - 53 840.
http://www.riga.lv/NR/rdonlyres/F8F69536-E31C-410E-BD05-C867E49D6B80/2783/rigaslidosta_l.jpg

When walking on 31st December in Old Riga (will post some pictures later)... it was a bit weird - all people were from Western Europe. Latvians at that time for most part left the city, while foreigners took it over :)

Gatis that same thing is painfully apparent in Tallinn Old town too, while Rigas old town doesnt stand so separatly from the rest of the town tallinn old town is like a different town or like a amusement park for tourists!!! its scary, yet, well... inevitable(sp)

That is almost a double in one year :eek:

Northstar yup, the same is going on in Tallinn too :D 40-50% increase!

40% is not "almost double increase" its "almost a half increase" :)
Double would be 100%.

Some fresh news from Lithuanian front (Hoping that nobody has posted it yet ;) ). During the year of 2004 Vilnius International Airports reached new heights. The last years' statistics show that the amount of passengers was 994,160. The number of passengers grew 38,1% from 719,850 back in 2003. The total amount of passengers from all three airports (Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga) will reach 1,100000 (The year of 2004).
www.delfi.lt

Talking about other than main airports... How many of those are in Latvia and Estonia? :)

In Latvia there used to be in the past air connection Riga-Liepaja. Nowadays Liepaja airport is fixed up, but still is very small - it is used now only for small charter flights and used by small private planes. Ventspils airport has about the same story - is also cleaned up - but also small, having rather a bit bigger ambitions than Liepaja. I heard airBaltic was investigating rendability of possible Riga-Ventspils scheduled flight.
However both airports have no international importance.
There were rumours about Jelgava, that in the future there could be moved international low cost airline flights from Riga. Never heard of Jelgava airport though :D

*Having not read the entire thread*

How big is the potensial capacity on the airports of Riga, Vilnius, Tallin? And are there any plans of expansion?

*Having not read the entire thread*

How big is the potensial capacity on the airports of Riga, Vilnius, Tallin? And are there any plans of expansion?
Vilnius airport

Capacity: 1,000,000
Served this year: 994,000

Not sure if this data is accurate because according to it, the further growth wouldn't be possible without an extension.

There are some extension plans tho ;)

Talking about other than main airports... How many of those are in Latvia and Estonia?
Look on the map and you will see some differences in locations of main airport in each country. In Lithuania Vilnius is located quite offcenter, there are other larger cities and towns... and this creates possibility for smaller airports to survive in Lithuania. It may take less time to go Vilnius-Palanga by air than by road. But Riga-Jurmala takes just 20 minutes by car - who needs airline there? :)
airBaltic is investigating possibility to start flights to Ventspils and Liepaja at the end 2005... but this is not decided yet. I have been flying Liepaja-Riga some 5 times back in 1980ies.
- - -
Have heard rumours that Riga airport capacity is 1,5 mio people per year - and it was reached already in end of 1980ies. This is why I am a bit worried about their prognosis to have 2 mio in 2005.
Northern terminal in Riga should be constructed soon, they are contracting the companies now.

Have heard rumours that Riga airport capacity is 1,5 mio people per year - and it was reached already in end of 1980ies. This is why I am a bit worried about their prognosis to have 2 mio in 2005.


Gatis, they have already extenden since 80ties. I heard that now the maximum is 5 million passengers per year. So don't worry!

Gatis, they have already extenden since 80ties. I heard that now the maximum is 5 million passengers per year. So don't worry!

I though capacity only WILL be 5 mln in the future - AFTER they finish the northern terminal. Now it is comething like Gatis mentioned - 1,5 to 2 mln

I though capacity only WILL be 5 mln in the future - AFTER they finish the northern terminal. Now it is comething like Gatis mentioned - 1,5 to 2 mln

Well I admit - I don't know. Would be great if somebody could find some more reliable source for this.

With all 1 million passenger pro year Riga Airport seems empty to mee. Also if there were twice as much passengers than now, counters for chek in would still be enough. So where coul the problems start actually?

Yeah, I also have thought about it - it seems empty to me, but well, maybe the luggage systems or customs have to be expanded. New landing strip?

Well well - one more new direct flight from Riga by AirBaltic announced:

AirBaltic will start to fly Barcelona (Girona) from 24th of March this year.

Seems thy finally started to look to the south - first Istanbul, now Barcelona.... But still no Paris....

Well well - one more new direct flight from Riga by AirBaltic announced:

AirBaltic will start to fly Barcelona (Girona) from 24th of March this year.

Seems thy finally started to look to the south - first Istanbul, now Barcelona.... But still no Paris....

Herr Flick deserves a medal!!!

Bravo!

Actually why girona?? Is this the main airport of Barcelona?

Wouldn't know if honest, I thought it was main airport, but not sure though

I read today in "Diena" that Ryanair after completed market research has announced that they wont fly to Lithuania.

I though that they have plans to open flights to Kaunas from g september 2005 to couple of destinations includin souther Europe. Sad I would want some flights some cheap flights to Rome. Love this city above all. But maybe this means that they will open flights to souther Europe from Riga. But then they have to meet competition - in 2005 there will be allready enough flights to Southern Europe - Istanbul (airBaltic), Roma (Chech airlines), Milano (airBaltic), Barcelona (airBaltic).

I've read that Ryanair and airport of Riga both are "unhappy" with each other and probably it's enough for them of one airport in the Baltics.

Some news from Lithuania: the fourth international airport in Lithuania is going to be "started" - the airport of Siauliai which is the base for jets of NATO in the Baltic states is going to provide international flights.

By the way, I will fly this thursday to London. I had to pay 30 lats (43 euro) for both way all inclusive ticket. And I booked already ticket to Berlin with EasyJet for 45 euro (all inclusiev both way price). I love these companies. Just looked an old video from TV News made at the beggining of 2004, it was about possibility that some time there could cheap airlines fly to Riga. Some said - it will never happen, but Ainars Slesers (former vice Prime Minister, now Minister for traffic and transport) said: "We have to do it, we have to make them fly to Riga."Now it is reality. He might be selfish and always eager to use his position for private purposes, but he has a tallent in makeing bussines. I am convinced - both Ryanair and EasyJet in Riga is his achievment. And now he has plans to make Latvijas Pasts (Latvian State post) a competetive and profitable enterprise. And obviously he is doing well, gradually all the post offices are beeing modernized, stuff starts to smile, letters are being brought with new shining Renault cars, there are even more services online available, this is something new. Good changes This man has deserved a medail probably

janis, do the planes go to Stansted? I hope you have someone to meet you there, since the airport is MILES away from London:) and the trip from there to London will cost bout 15-20 euro!

janis, do the planes go to Stansted? I hope you have someone to meet you there, since the airport is MILES away from London:) and the trip from there to London will cost bout 15-20 euro!

Stansted is as far from London as Heathrow. Bus cost max. 30 euros both way so not that expensive. But the car will wait for me, so i dont care. How are you ch1le travelling to London? Maybe you can reavel some secret how to travel cheaper?

Stansted is as far from London as Heathrow. Bus cost max. 30 euros both way so not that expensive. But the car will wait for me, so i dont care. How are you ch1le travelling to London? Maybe you can reavel some secret how to travel cheaper?

Actually, Heathrow is a lot closer to downtown London than Stansted. Stansted is not even inside Greater London area. Besides that, the connections to the city are better in Heathrow. You can take the Tube from Heathrow, but the underground's laststop in Stansted's direction is the town of Epping.

I believe theres a train from Stansted airport directly to london center,

Take my words back - Heathrow really is only some 25 km from London center. For a city like London could immagine that main airport were so close it is really inside the city. Stansted looks to be in proper dsitance from city. There are fast trains to both Stansted and Heathrow. But my friend told that it takaes time to get from Arrivals in Heathrow to place wheer trains are leaving for center. in stansted there arent such problems, accordingly with fast train it takes only 10 minutes more to get to downtown from Stansten, than from Heathrow.

Yes but the price of the train from Stansted airport to London center is a quite more than the tube from Heathrow airport.

well, fast traini from Heathrow to Paddiington costs more expensive than fast train from Stansted to St Liverpool. Tube is cheaper, but more slowly.

janis, rr, you dont have to worry anyhow you got a car waiting, but it really is harder to get from Stansted to centre then from heathrow, thats the nr1 reason airport taxes there are so much cheaper, and thats why Easyjet lands there...

:) I dont worry I just say what I know. And EasyJet is not flying to Heathrow! No space. From Riga airBaltic and BA is flying to London Heathrow. First costs 100 pounds both way all inclusive. Latter - more than twice as much.

Heathrow has got Tube and it explains pretty much. While from Stansted or any other airport (except the small London City which AFAIK doesn't have any routes from Baltics) you'll have to use train which will cost additionally and will take quite alot of time.

Tube is slower. Because have many stops on its way. The most comfortable way is to take fast train.

LOL @ John's profile :D (thug) :D

^^^
What's wrong with my profile? If you're talking about the "very bad user" then there's nothing wrong with it. A person who's been banned twice in two days supposedly must be not very good so I thought I'll just let others know that and so redeem from my sins :yes:

A person who's been banned twice in two days supposedly must be not very good so I thought I'll just let others know that and so redeem from my sins :yes:

:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

Yeah well, maybe the Kaliningrad people were right about the evil origin of lithuanians... :D:D:D

^^^
What's wrong with my profile? If you're talking about the "very bad user" then there's nothing wrong with it. A person who's been banned twice in two days supposedly must be not very good so I thought I'll just let others know that and so redeem from my sins :yes:

How about "registered abuser"? :D

Results of Riga airport in January 2005:

- 101 203 passengers. Two times more than in January 2004 - then were served 50 542 passengers.
- 2 270 flights (1 505 in January 2004).

If it continues this way - Riga airport will have a little above 2 mio passengers this year. Lets see.

tallinn airport didnt get the 1 mio mark in 2004 :( 2525 passengers short of 1 mio :( so the total amount was 997 475...

but... Tallinn harbour serviced a total of 6 737 926....
/\ BEAt that Riga!

Well, for me Tallinn can stay the biggest passenger seaport in the Baltics, as long as Riga will remain the biggest airport in the Baltics :D

Well, for me Tallinn can stay the biggest passenger seaport in the Baltics, as long as Riga will remain the biggest airport in the Baltics :D

That's yet a question ;)

Haha, by the looks of it (the arguing) I guess a Baltic Union wont happen :lol:

a Baltic Union wont happen
It has never existed... Each works on his own. Sometimes it is stupid, sometimes - justified.

Well, last time i checked, we were all in European Union, so i guess Baltic Union wouldnt make much sense.

speaking about Riga seaport to be able to beat Tallinn some day - it wont happen never! We dont have rich 1 milion city 80 km from our shores. What we can do some day is get more passengers than Tallinn on route Riga-Stockholm. But lets see.

Potentially Riga could get some 1,5 - 3 mio people through passenger harbour each year, I think. But only, if:
1. Riga free port and passenger harbour officials finally land on Earth from Uranus. This seems to be very complicated task for them. They enjoy being on Uranus.
2. New, civilised passenger harbour building is built... including passage over that enormous street along the harbour (Eksporta Street).
3. Passenger harbour gets tram line along it.
Even more fantastic proposals...
4. People staying in Jurmala resort get discount on ferries going to and from Riga...
5. Latvians make their own version of Silja Line... as we did back in 1900...
Then Riga passenger harbour has hopes... but as for now - I would bet that airport has got better chances.

Finally a long awaited route comes to Riga!!! Beginning May 2005 airBaltic will start to fly Riga-Paris. I have no idea why they waited so long, but finally it comes. :pepper:

? Where did you find this information? AirBaltic.com and riga-airport.com both have no news regarding this :dunno:

? Where did you find this information? AirBaltic.com and riga-airport.com both have no news regarding this :dunno:

They had a short article on delfi.lv the other day. I also checked airbaltic.com today, and they have not posted the news yet. But sometimes they are a few days late; it was the case with the announcement of their St. Petersburg route, for example

It has never existed... Each works on his own. Sometimes it is stupid, sometimes - justified.

I never said it has...

Speaking of pasenger port in Riga, I think, people who mainly work with cargo will never care so much about passengers, as passengers will never bring in so much money as cargo shipping.

1.So the first and main step would be administrativelly divest Riga Free port of the land and wharfs that are planned to be the part of passenger port.
2. Privatise or rent this territory for private agency that will provide all the necessary services for the shipping companies wanting to use passenger port.

The main aim of this is to creaet an environment where there is absolutley no other way to get profit and avoid losses, than many passenger in port.

well if it comes to cargo tallinn port is surely the largest in the baltic states and one of the largest on the coast of the Baltic sea :tongue2:

I dont know what to say.. in atlans i read that Ventspils( richest city in Latvia) is biggest in Baltia and 14th in whole Europe beating cities like Bremen ( germany) and southampton( UK) :bleh:

Norxxx, Tallinn is bigger than Ventspils now. I believe, but haven't seen any official statistics. Anyway this theme has deserved a speical thread. Read good article about Riga Free port in today's "Diena". I agree. Riga port is located in Daugava river and will always be located there. And current infrastricture allow reach the port only going through the city. Unlike in Tallinn the port in Riga is located inside the city. Thats why I think that city council should restrict the cargo shipping in Riga port and not develope they have planned in City Development plan.