Airport, Good for Business, Latvia, Transport
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Friday, 29.03.2024, 16:32
Riga International Airport has new chairperson of the board – Ilona Lice
Ilona Lice
has more than 10 year experience in aviation industry, since 2011 she is a member
of the Board of SJSC Riga International Airport and for several times Lice
has been appointed to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board, ensuring
stability and continuity in the company. She has also acquired considerable
experience in managerial positions both in public administration and in
business sector.
Newly
appointed chairperson of the board believes that long-term growth of Riga
International Airport lies in long-haul destinations, supplementing the current
more than 70 routes with new intercontinental passenger flights and long-haul
cargo flights.
"Riga
Airport is currently the undisputed leader in the Baltic Region, offering the
widest network of destinations and handling more than 5 million passengers per
year; however, we should not rest on our laurels. Intercontinental flights will
facilitate further development of Riga Airport, attract new passengers and give
us a competitive advantage in the Baltic Region," says Lice. To achieve
this, it is important to increase revenue from commercial activities, thereby
ensuring competitive Airport tariffs.
In turn, marking the short-term goals, Lice stresses that currently the Airport needs to prepare for the summer tourist season. Since airlines plan to open 14 new destinations, a significant increase in passenger numbers is expected at Riga Airport this summer. Riga International Airport will be ready: the construction of a modern ventilation system in the check-in hall has been completed, additional check-in counters have been set up. The security control area will be significantly expanded, and after reconstruction, there will be nine security-screening lines. It is also planned to set up self-service baggage drop-off lines.
"These
improvements aim to improve passenger comfort before the ambitious Airport
terminal expansion project is implemented. The project foresees expansion of
the passenger check-in hall, baggage claim and sorting areas, as well as
construction of a multi-level car park," Lice says.
Lice
outlines environmental issues as an important aspect of Airport operations,
underlining the ecological values and considering the Airport's environmental
policy as one of her key priorities. "The Airport is currently working on
a Cohesion Fund project, which will allow for environmentally-friendly
infrastructure improvements, reducing emissions and environmental
pollution," Lice informs.
Ilona Lice
holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Latvia;
she has taken part in top-level specialised training for aviation business
managers, supplementing her knowledge in training programmes offered by
Cranfield University in the UK, Airports Council International (ACI) and
International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Riga International Airport is the largest air
traffic hub in the Baltics. More than 20 airlines operating at Riga Airport
offer 60 destinations in the winter season and 80 in the summer season.