Riga Airport seeks strategic investors for new aircraft maintenance centre

RIX Riga Airport has launched a tender process to attract investors for the development of new aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, advancing its ambitions to become a major aviation hub in Northern Europe. The initiative seeks private investment for the construction of aircraft maintenance hangars and supporting infrastructure, expanding the airport’s aviation services portfolio while strengthening its position in the regional aerospace market.

The proposed MRO complex will be located in the airport’s western sector, in the Skulte area. Under the tender, investors will be granted the opportunity to design, finance, build and operate the hangars and associated facilities at their own expense. Depending on the results of the selection process, the project may be awarded to one or multiple investors, with the final development sites and project requirements to be defined during the tender phase.

The project forms part of Riga Airport’s long-term development strategy, which aims to attract new aviation businesses and enhance the airport’s role as a multifunctional gateway for air transport and aerospace services in the Baltic region.

Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport, commented: “Riga Airport's development plan provides for a strategic drive towards establishing a multifunctional aviation hub in Northern Europe. Aircraft maintenance infrastructure is one of the key development priorities, enabling the Airport to expand its range of services, attract investment and foster the development of high-value-added aviation services. We are implementing the projects outlined in our development plan step by step, strengthening Riga Airport's competitiveness in the region.”

The investor selection process will be conducted through a two-stage competitive dialogue. During the initial phase, the airport will evaluate applicants based on their qualifications, industry experience, and proposed development concepts. Shortlisted candidates will then move to the second stage, where they will engage in a structured dialogue with the airport to refine project requirements, including land allocation, technical specifications, and key implementation parameters.

Applications for the first stage of the tender – the selection of applicants – may be submitted until 30 November this year. Information about the competition is available in the Commercial Tenders and Auctions section of Riga Airport’s website: https://www.riga-airport.com/en/commercial-procedures-and-auctions. The tender documentation can be obtained by contacting the tender coordinator Sandra Teivāne (s.teivane@riga-airport.com).