Airport, EU – Baltic States, Good for Business, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

"Neatkariga" notes that if the private airport in Tukums is granted license, this could solve the problem of unequal airport fees in Riga. Traditional airlines such as airBaltic, Finnair, Lufthans would continue flying from Riga, whereas low-cost carriers could choose to fly to/from Tukums – Ryanair, Norwegian, Wizz Air. This though requires Tukums to offer these airlines better conditions than those offered by Riga, writes LETA.

Riga Airport board chairman Arnis Luhse said to "Neatkariga", "Yes, this matter is being discussed, but we have not yet found a solution," adding that the Riga Airport wished to continue servicing low-cost airlines, as this provided additional income. Riga Airport would like to build a passenger terminal for low-cost airlines itself, added Luhse.

Until recently, Tukums Airport was a two-kilometer area covered with concrete slabs, which could only be accessed by one road. Last summer, construction of a passenger terminal got under way there. At the moment, planes can land/take off from Tukums Airport only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and not after dark, and the maximum weight of planes is limited to 5.7 tons when, for instance, a 50-seat "Fokker" weighs 20.8 tons.

The developers of the new airport are rather evasive when commenting their plans. "Talks with airlines are under way, but this is a very sensitive issue. Airlines need that the airport have certificates, infrastructure," says Tukums Airport executive Director Oksana Sergeja.

The large-scale reconstruction project has local residents' protests who will be affected if Tukums Airport launches operations as per current plans.