Riga Airport, TAV sign agreement on new terminal

RIGA - Riga International Airport has signed an agreement with TAV Airports Holding, a Turkish airport development company, on the construction of a new terminal.

The two parties signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" that makes TAV a Joint Venture partner on a 50:50 shareholding basis for the development, construction and operation of a new passenger terminal.

The planned 200 million lat expansion would give Riga Airport the capacity to serve 15 - 20 million passengers a year.

"TAV is a respected international company with excellent track-record in airport construction and operation. Havas, a daughter company of TAV Airports Holding, is currently present at Riga International Airport as 50% owner of North Hub Services, a ground handling services provider. If the new terminal project is to move forward, airBaltic would prefer TAV as a partner,”  said airBaltic President and CEO Bertolt Flick.

“Riga International Airport has been experiencing a continuous growth in passenger numbers throughout the second part of the decade and airBaltic is the focal point of the growth with its impeccable record in customer services and continuous dedication to operational excellence. Furthermore, our recent involvement in NHS has been a testament to our continuing interest in the development of Riga International Airport. Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to be involved as a partner with airBaltic for the possible development of a new terminal in Riga International Airport,”  CEO and President, Sani Sener, commented.

airBaltic and TAV have signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the international aviation conference “North Hub Riga”, held in Riga on June 9 and gathering over 200 participants from about 30 countries in Europe, CIS and the Middle East.