50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Latvia aviation news

airBaltic recognized for best Wi-Fi in Europe by APEX

airBaltic has been awarded Best Wi-Fi in Europe for 2026 by APEX – one of the world’s largest international airline associations. The award is based on passenger ratings from over one million flights across more than 600 airlines worldwide. This marks the fourth APEX award received by airBaltic. In 2023, the airline was awarded the APEX...

Riga Airport closes 2025 with a profit of EUR 4.2 million

RIX Riga Airport maintained stable operational performance in 2025 and closed the financial year with a profit of EUR 4.2 million, EUR 0.8 million higher than the previous year, according to the company’s audited annual report for 2025. Last year, Riga Airport handled 7.1 million passengers and 63,000 flights, maintaining the previous year’s level of activity. The number of direct...

Riga Airport expands its route network and increases seat capacity for the summer season

In the upcoming summer season, passengers travelling from Riga Airport will benefit from a broader range of destinations, a new airline, and increased flight frequencies on high-demand routes, providing more convenient travel options for both business and leisure. During this summer season, which begins on 29 March, the total number of scheduled passenger flights at Riga Airport will increase by 1...

Government approves a new airline incentive programme for Riga Airport

On 24 March, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a new incentive programme for Riga Airport, aimed at supporting airlines in expanding their route networks from Riga and increasing passenger volumes, thereby strengthening Latvia’s international connectivity in an increasingly competitive aviation market. The approved amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 111 “Regulations on Charges for Se...

airBaltic Training becomes Diamond Authorized Training Centre

airBaltic Training, the subsidiary of the Latvian national airline airBaltic announces that it has officially been recognized as a Diamond Authorized Training Centre by Diamond Aircraft. The authorization comes as Diamond Aircraft officially launches its global DATC programme, designed to recognize selected flight training organizations operating Diamond&nbs...

flydubai inaugurates flights to Riga in Latvia

flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, inaugurated its first direct service to Riga, the capital of Latvia, marking the start of its three-weekly service between Dubai International (DXB) and Riga Airport (RIX). The inaugural flight landed in Riga to a warm reception by airport officials, underscoring the significance of this new connection between the United Arab Emirates and Latvia. Her Excellenc...

airBaltic continues recruitment, offering up to 200 cabin crew positions

As the company continues to grow and expand its operations, the Latvian national airline airBaltic is actively recruiting, now offering up to 200 Junior Cabin Crew positions across its bases in all three Baltic States – Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania). These positions are planned to be filled by the summer season of 2026. airBaltic welcomes applica...

RIX Riga Airport presents its Master Plan 2025–2050

RIX Riga Airport has developed its Master Plan for 2025–2050, defining the long-term vision for infrastructure development and the land areas required for future growth. The 25-year plan outlines strategic investments aimed at supporting economic growth, strengthening connectivity, and providing a modern travel experience, positioning Riga as one of the leading transport hubs in Northern Eur...

airBaltic Pilot Academy celebrates 33 graduates

33 students graduated from the Pilot Academy of the Latvian national airline airBaltic, receiving a commercial pilot license upon completion of the full-time airline transport pilot program. This marks the largest graduation ceremony in the academy’s history. The graduates represent countries such as Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, th...

RAF 2025 - Latvia is a fast-paced, solution-focused, and business-friendly country - interview with Zigmars Vestfals

Organizing an event is rarely easy. Organizing an international aviation event is even more challenging. I admit that I have experience in organizing and running aviation events, and I take my hat off to the entire team and Zigmars Vestfals for the Riga Aviation Forum. Well done, perfect organization, speakers with really interesting presentations, the industry community coming together to discuss...

Riga Aviation Forum 2025 - collaboration, innovation, leadership - interview with Atis Švinka, Minister of Transport of Latvia

For those who are less familiar, Latvia is a country in the middle of the Baltic States, home of airBaltic,aviation hub in the region thanks to Riga Airport, and a placek nown for its quick thinking and inventiveness. The amazing BalticBees team also calls it home. Some lucky aviation events are honored by a greeting of Transport Minister. Riga Aviation Forum 2025 was THE place where I had the ple...

airBaltic unveils new comprehensive pilot offer

airBaltic unveiled a new pilot offer, effective as of January 1, 2026, designed to better meet the needs of its current pilots while making the company more attractive to future candidates. The new offer introduces expanded roster options, and improved salary structure, developed in direct response to feedback from current pilots and insights from the market, with a strong emphasis on co...