As part of the reconstruction project of the fourth apron at Riga Airport, construction work has begun — worn-out surface slabs and equipment are being dismantled to start building new engineering infrastructure, the airport told the LETA agency.
The airport also announced that starting this week, a detailed model of the fourth apron project is presented in the passenger area of the terminal to give passengers an idea of the project and its outcome.
The model displays the layout of the apron, taxiways and their lights, lighting solutions, and other details. It also allows for familiarization with the layers of the apron surface and the materials used, giving interested parties an insight into the specific technical and construction solutions applied in the construction of the airfield surface.
The model can be seen in the connecting gallery of the terminal at the turn before Pier C.
As previously reported, the reconstruction of the fourth apron at Riga Airport for 22.8 million euros will be carried out by the road construction company SIA "Binders."
The work is expected to be completed by December 2027.
Earlier, the airport noted that the reconstruction of the fourth apron will provide a dual-use TEN-T infrastructure for civilian and military purposes. The work will involve reconstructing the hard surface of the apron over an area of more than 80,000 square meters, creating ten parking spaces for aircraft of classes A–E in various configurations, as well as taxiways and service roads.
The reconstruction will provide Riga Airport with additional aircraft parking spaces, including for wide-body aircraft, allowing for the acceptance of all types of cargo and military aircraft. Additionally, the updated apron will contribute to military mobility, which is particularly important in the current geopolitical conditions, and will allow for an expansion of the cargo service area, the airport emphasized.
As part of the project, an electrical substation will also be built to provide lighting for the fourth apron and power supply for aircraft parking areas in accordance with the latest European Union requirements. Furthermore, equipment storage areas for aircraft maintenance will be equipped, an airfield lighting system will be constructed, lighting masts and floodlights will be reconstructed, and new video surveillance and stormwater drainage systems will be installed.
The total cost of the construction contract is 22.8 million euros. The project is supported by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
The development strategy of Riga Airport envisions the creation of a cargo service area, or "cargo city," in the area of the fourth and fifth aprons. Currently, Riga Airport handles 38% of air cargo in the Baltic States, the airport reported.
Last year, Riga Airport served 7.111 million passengers, which corresponds to the level of 2024. Compared to the pre-pandemic 2019, the number of passengers served last year was 9% lower.
Riga Airport is the largest aviation hub in the Baltic States.
