Riga Airport doubles its cargo volumes in April

As compared to April 2020, the volume of cargo handled at Riga Airport in April 2021 has increased by 102%, reaching 2155 tonnes. This is the highest recorded increase in cargo volumes this year, assessing the respective indicators of 2020 and 2021. 

Of all cargo volume handled at Riga Airport in April, 680 tonnes were postal items, 800 tonnes – e-commerce cargo from the People's Republic of China (PRC), and 675 tonnes – other cargo delivered by regular passenger and charter airlines. In April 2021, the number of cargo aircraft flights increased by a quarter or 25% (217 flights). This led to a 52% increase in the volume of cargo carried by cargo aircraft, which amounted to 1606 tonnes.

As compared to April 2020, the volume of cargo carried by passenger aircraft has increased from 10 tonnes to 549 tonnes. This indicator can be explained by the fact that last year, starting from the second half of March, the Latvian government almost completely suspended international traffic, and this also significantly affected the volume of cargo transported in April 2020. In 2021, with the resumption of regular passenger flights to third countries, there is a 12.7% increase in cargo and mail carriage as compared to March this year. 

In the first four months of the year, the volume of cargo handled at Riga Airport accounted for 7 862 tonnes, and compared to January – April 2020, it is an increase of 18%. 

Between January and April 2021, the number of cargo flights at the Airport increased by 38% (879 flights) as compared to the first four months of 2020, and the volume of cargo transported on these flights increased by 68%, handling 6108 tonnes.

Riga Airport continues to serve e-commerce cargo flights from the PRC. Cargo flights from Hangzhou to Riga are operated by Atran Airlines, while cargo flights to Riga from Hong Kong are provided by Rossya Airlines. 

There is also an increase in courier services to Riga provided by three companies: UPS, which currently uses Sprint Air services, but from 31 May, these services will be provided by Swiftair; DHL, which uses European Air Transport Leipzig carrier services; and Fed Ex, the cooperation partner of which in cargo transportation to Riga is ASL Airlines Belgium. 

Regular cargo carriage to and from Riga Airport is performed by the following companies:

ASL Airlines Belgium (Fed Ex), Atran Airlines, Aviastar TU, European Air Transport Leipzig (DHL), Rossya Airlines and Sprint Air (UPS).