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

The head of the airport informed that the airlines have interest in resuming passenger service from Riga and have been inquiring about safety measures introduced at the airport.

Odina voiced satisfaction that flights are resuming at Riga Airport, underlining that it is important not only to the airport but also the Latvian economy. 

To ensure safe travel via the airport, a special program, Don't Let the Virus Travel, has been developed based on five pillars: passenger protection, staff protection, infrastructure, cooperation with other airport-based enterprises and communication. 

Wearing masks at the airport will be made mandatory for passengers, because keeping the safe 2 meters distance from other people is not always possible, for instance, at security checks and boarding gates. 

"Passengers are required to wear the masks already when they arrive at the airport. Therefore, we ask all passengers to make sure they have a mask with them. If this is not possible, they will be able to buy masks at vending machines outside the terminal. Masks will be sold also at the airport's terminal and arrivals hall,"  said Odina. 

The airport CEO indicated that only passengers who have booked flights will be allowed into the airport's terminal. 

There will also be fever screening thermal cameras installed at the airport.

Latvia's airBaltic national carrier has changed its rules will not allow passengers with body temperature above 37.8 degrees on board its flights. Passengers with a fever will be redirected to airBaltic ticket offices.

All check-in desks at the airport have been equipped with disinfectants and stands with disinfection products have also been placed in the terminal. 

The airport's staff have been provided with masks, protective shields, gloves and other equipment. Also, the airport has developed a special work schedule so that each employee can only get in contact with colleagues from their particular shift, so that if someone gets the infection only one shift is affected. 

As reported, after a decision from the Latvian government to enable international passenger traffic between Baltic states and receiving all of the necessary permissions, airBaltic will resume daily direct flights from Riga to Tallinn and Vilnius from Monday, May 18.

Latvia has declared a state of emergency over the Covid-19 pandemic until June 9.