Direct flights between Riga Airport and the USA would provide significant benefits for the further development of Latvia and the entire Baltic region, said Zigmar Vestfals, a board member of the Latvian Aviation Association, to the LETA agency.
He noted that such flights would contribute to the growth of business ties and investments, as well as stimulate tourist flow by attracting more travelers from the USA to the Baltics, creating additional revenue for the hotel, restaurant, and cultural sectors. Additionally, passengers would experience reduced waiting times between flights and, consequently, lower costs.
Vestfals emphasized that Riga Airport could strengthen its position as a regional hub between North America, Northern, and Eastern Europe, which would enhance its competitiveness compared to other airports in the region.
"Such a connection would also have strategic and geopolitical significance, strengthening the ties of the Baltics with NATO allies. An additional advantage would be the expansion of opportunities for air cargo transportation, providing exporters from Latvia and the Baltics with more direct and secure access to the US market," Vestfals added.
According to the association, such a route would be an important step in strengthening both economic growth and regional security and competitiveness.
As previously reported, the Ministry of Transport has submitted an information report for approval by other institutions, which outlines risk-sharing and marketing support programs to strengthen Latvia's position as the aviation center of the Baltics and enhance the position of Riga Airport in Northern Europe, the ministry informed.
The necessary support mechanisms include a risk-sharing program for the development of long-haul flights, marketing support for airlines to stimulate inbound tourism, as well as marketing support for carriers to open new routes and improve regional connectivity.
The strategic goal of the developed support programs is to initiate regular long-haul flights with North America, increase passenger traffic on existing routes from Riga Airport that promote inbound tourism, and encourage airlines' willingness to invest in Riga Airport by opening new destinations or increasing the frequency of flights on already existing routes.
To finance the support program from 2026 to 2030, a total of 18 million euros will be required.
It was also reported that Norse Atlantic Airways plans to operate flights on the Riga – New York route in the future.
Representatives of the airline indicate that the Riga – New York flight is part of the company's long-term vision. However, for it to become a reality, several conditions must be met. One of these conditions is good cooperation with partners in Latvia and the Baltic countries.
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