Airport, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Murnieks believes that the Ryanair case is an issue that should be solved by the airport, as the Transport Ministry is "more or less a political institution". The airport must take into account its earnings as well as costs. Passenger turnover is not the only important thing, it is also important to consider the company's income, Murnieks stresses.

Murnieks is perplexed at the various interpretations he has heard so far. The airport has been in talks with Ryanair already since this past spring. During this period, an agreement was signed with Wizz Air that lays down various terms, new destinations, and passenger turnover figures, notes Murnieks.

Two companies that used to be the main airlines at the airport – airBaltic and Ryanair – have been reporting decreasing passenger turnover volumes. Wizz Air, on the other hand, is slowly increasing its market share, explains Murnieks.

The agreement the airport has offered to Ryanair is exactly the same as that signed with Wizz Air. "It is important that we do not end up in a court due to some vague discount policies," Murnieks said.

In the meantime, Ryanair claims that the airport has signed a different agreement with Wizz Air, and wants to see it – however, any such agreement is confidential.