Riga Airport served 7.12 million passengers in 2024, marking a 7% increase compared to 2023, according to an announcement made on January 8. Transit passengers accounted for 22% of the total, with the airport handling a total of 63,200 flights throughout the year.
December Performance Surges
In December alone, nearly 582,000 passengers traveled through Riga Airport, a 20% increase from the same month in 2023 and slightly surpassing December 2019 figures. The airport also managed 5,106 flights and handled approximately 2,000 tonnes of air cargo during the month.
Steady Growth and Pre-Pandemic Recovery
The airport demonstrated consistent growth throughout 2024, with November and December passenger numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 17% and 20%, respectively.
“This reflects passengers’ appreciation for the variety of routes available from Riga,” noted Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport. She highlighted a 10% increase in available seating capacity compared to late 2023 and credited the airport’s balanced destination strategy for reducing seasonal variations between winter and summer routes.
Currently, 11 airlines operate at Riga Airport, offering flights to over 85 destinations during the winter season.
In 2024, the airport handled 18,580 tonnes of air cargo, a slight 2% decrease from 2023. However, recent months have shown signs of recovery in cargo transport, fueled by military flights and new cargo routes introduced by Lufthansa Cargo and Uzbekistan’s Fly Khiva.
Riga Airport’s strong performance in passenger traffic and its ongoing recovery in cargo services underline its pivotal role as a hub for travel and logistics in the Baltic region.