Riga Airport to remain least expensive despite new security fees

  • 2011-12-30

RIGA – Riga International Airport (RIX) will still remain the least expensive airport in the region, even though its new security fees, which will be introduced on Jan. 1, 2012, are among the highest in the region, the airport’s board member Aldis Murnieks announced during a press conference on Dec. 29, reports Nozare.lv/LETA.

“RIX is not concerned about losing its positions, since it still is the region's least expensive airport: the other fees charged by the airport are small,” explained Murnieks.

Nevertheless, the airport’s fees will now be close to the ones in Vilnius and Tallinn, nearly 1,500 euros for an aircraft such as “B737” with 120 seats. Slightly higher fees are in Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Helsinki - 2,000 euros. These fees are considerably higher in Oslo and Warsaw - over 3,000 euros.

As reported, this past October, the Cabinet of Ministers accepted a proposal to introduce security fees at Riga International Airport, stipulating that 6.5 euros to 7 euros would have to be paid for each passenger.

The Transport Ministry previously pointed out that such fees are adequate to the required security measures that must be ensured by the airport.