Being aware of its responsibility to control the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of passengers, employees and partners, Riga Airport has implemented a comprehensive epidemiological safety programme #ForbidTheVirusFromTravelling. It provides a set of measures for the protection of the Airport and Airport employees and the safe handling of passengers in order to minimize the risks of the spread of COVID-19. In developing the programme, the Airport has consulted with Latvian health authorities and taken into account the recommendations of international aviation organizations.
When will flights to/from Riga Airport be resumed?
As of 15 May, international passenger carriage by air, sea, bus and rail to and from Lithuania and Estonia is allowed.
Flights to other countries still require the permission of the Minister of Transport. Information about the issued permits is available on the website of the Ministry of Transport.
The current flight schedule can be found here.
Until what date are the restrictions set?
Restrictions on international flights outside the Baltic countries are currently set until 9 June. Please follow the latest information.
Where, when, how does flight information appear?
The current 24-hour flight schedule can be found here or by calling the 1817 information line.
What epidemiological safety measures should be followed at the Airport?
All travellers, except children under the age of 7, must wear a medical mask when staying at the Airport. Entry to the Airport terminal is only allowed to passengers in masks, upon presenting a boarding pass or booking confirmation.
The Airport urges travellers to observe the requirement to wear a mask during their stay at the Airport. In particular, the use of masks will be controlled in places where it is difficult to maintain physical distance.
If passenger has arrived at the Airport without a mask, it is possible to buy it at several places both at the entrance and in the terminal itself.
Travellers are also urged to observe hand hygiene at the Airport and, wherever possible, to keep physical distance.
Will I undergo any special medical check upon departure/arrival?
The Airport has set equipment for measuring body temperature in the departures hall before security controls and in the arrivals hall before baggage reclaim.
Departing passengers will be subjected to temperature measurements to comply with the requirements of airlines that have prohibited passengers with elevated body temperature from boarding their aircraft. For example, airBaltic does not accept on board its aircraft passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees. We urge passengers to read carefully the rules of the selected airline before the flight!
There are no special health checks for arriving passengers at Riga Airport. Passengers arriving in Latvia from outside the Baltics must observe 14 days of self-isolation. Travellers from outside the Baltic states may use public transport only if they have to get to a place of self-isolation, moreover, it must be remembered that a mouth and nose mask must be used in public transport in Latvia.
Citizens and persons with the right to reside in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may travel between the Baltic states without any restrictions. It is permitted to travel between the Baltic states if the person has not visited other countries in the last 14 days and is not subjected to self-isolation or quarantine.
Latvian citizens and permanent residents, as well as foreigners who have not visited countries other than Lithuania or Estonia in the last 14 days, as well as Lithuanian and Estonian citizens who transit through Latvia, do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation. Also, persons who transit through Latvia, if they have a ticket for further international passenger transport, or if they cross Latvia with their own or another person's vehicle, do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation.
Will I be quarantined if I come back from abroad?
Mandatory self-isolation for 14 days in Latvia must be observed by persons who have come to the Baltic states from other countries.
As of 15 May, the borders between the Baltic states will be opened for free movement of people. Citizens and persons with the right to reside in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may travel between the Baltic countries without any restrictions. It is permitted to travel between the Baltic states if the person has not visited other countries in the last 14 days and is not subjected to self-isolation or quarantine.
Latvian citizens and permanent residents, as well as foreigners who have not visited countries other than Lithuania or Estonia in the last 14 days, as well as Lithuanian and Estonian citizens who transit through Latvia, do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation. Also, persons who transit through Latvia, if they have a ticket for further international passenger transport, or if they cross Latvia with their own or another person's vehicle, do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation.
Persons who have arrived in Latvia from abroad, except for Estonia and Lithuania, may use public transport only if they have to get to a place of self-isolation, moreover, they must use a mouth and nose mask on public transport.
Is it possible to perform a COVID-19 test at the Airport?
According to the decision of the Ministry of Health, there are no longer any Emergency Medical Service posts at the Airport and therefore it is not possible to have a COVID-19 test. You can apply for the test in the general way, for example by contacting your family doctor or by calling 8303.
The Airport will look for opportunities to offer passengers a COVID-19 test at the Airport in cooperation with private operators.
Are there any restrictions on the presence of persons meeting and seeing off passengers in the terminal premises?
Persons meeting and seeing off passengers are not allowed to enter the Airport terminal. Please go to the Airport only if passenger needs special assistance to get to the Airport.
Is it possible to spend the night at the Airport when travelling in transit?
Yes, transit passengers have an opportunity to spend the night at the Airport waiting for their next flight. Passengers travelling in transit should make sure that they have all the necessary documents for entry into the Republic of Latvia and the Schengen Area, as well as to get acquainted with the conditions of stay and quarantine in Latvia.
If my flight is very early in the morning, can I arrive at the Airport late the night before and spend the night at the terminal?
The public part of the Airport terminal is closed to passengers at night. Check-in for each flight starts 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. If a flight is scheduled early in the morning, passengers can enter the terminal no earlier than 2 hours before the scheduled departure. For the convenience of passengers, Sky High hotel is located 300 metres from the Airport terminal. More information and room reservation.
In which cases can I be denied a flight?
Flight may be denied if passenger does not meet the epidemiological safety requirements set by the airline. Such requirements may include, for example, a mandatory face mask, a threshold for body temperature and others. For example, the national airline airBaltic does not allow passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees on board its aircraft. The temperature measurement at Riga Airport will be performed before the security control area and passengers with elevated body temperature will be directed to airBaltic employees for further information.
We encourage passengers to read carefully the rules of the selected airline before the flight!
What are the restrictions on entering other countries?
Due to the pandemic, many countries have imposed various travel restrictions, including mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, certain entry conditions, etc. Many countries also have special requirements for the mandatory use of masks, stays in public places, gathering restrictions, etc.
Please read carefully the requirements before your trip and follow the current information.
How can I cancel/change my flight or get my money back?
Please contact the selected airline.
Can I settle the issue of changing tickets at the Airport?
Passengers have to settle any issues related to the cancellation or change of their flight bookings, as well as the recovery of their funds with their airlines. The Airport encourages passengers to address these issues remotely without having to arrive at the Airport. The Airport advises to visit the Airport terminal only if the passenger who you are seeing of or meeting needs special assistance in getting to/from the Airport. Passengers are also asked to use personal transport whenever possible to get home from the Airport.
How to contact airBaltic?
The latest information provided by airBaltic is available here.
