RIGA - Europe's low-cost flight companies still regard Latvia, and the Baltics, as just as one of the many destinations they could use after EU enlargement next May.
Last weekend the press was filled with information that low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair were about to open flights to Riga.
Officials from both airlines told Dienas Bizness that although they had visited Riga to gather information on service fees of Riga International Airport, there were no specific plans yet.
David Bell, a strategic planning manager of Britain's EasyJet who visited Riga, confirmed that EasyJet was interested in widening its flight network and that this could take place after May 2004, but no decision had been taken in regard to any of the states or cities.
AirBaltic officials expressed their frustration at the possibility that Ireland's Ryanair would be offered privileged conditions in opening flights to Riga after Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers met with Ryanair representatives.
Inga Pelsa, assistant to Slesers, said that no definite prices for services had been discussed with Ryanair, as the visit had only been made for acquaintance.
Representative of Ryanair told Dienas Bizness that Ryanair was not disclosing any information on opening new routes.
Also, neither of the low-cost airlines has approached the aviation department at the Transportation Ministry to obtain documentation for initiating flights to Riga.
Rumors about low-cost airlines launching flights to Baltic destinations is a favored topic for the local rumor mills. Earlier this month it was reported that Ryanair was meeting with Estonian officials to discuss flights to Parnu, and the press was reporting that the government and Parnu Airport were considering a strategic partnership with the Irish airline.
Officials at the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs denied the report, as did Ryanair officials, who stressed that the airport in Parnu needed millions of dollars in infrastructure development before it could fly there.
(BBN)
