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.
If you enter Latvia from a country marked with a red dot on the map, you must observe 10 days of self-isolation!
What are the obligations of passengers entering Latvia?
Before entering Latvia, all passengers are requested to fill in a questionnaire confirming that upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the confirmation, passengers must indicate their name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and address of the actual place of residence where they can be reached, as well as countries and dates of departure where passengers have stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia. The relevant form must be prepared in advance and handed over to the flight crew. The questionnaire is available on the website of the Ministry of Transport.
When arriving in Latvia from countries where the Covid-19 cumulative 14-day incidence rate per 100 000 inhabitants is above 16, passengers must observe 10-days of self-isolation. Passengers must arrive at their place of residence or another place of stay as soon as possible after arriving from these countries.
How are international passenger flights to/from Riga Airport operated?
In accordance with Cabinet Regulation “Epidemiological Safety Measures to Limit the Spread of Covid-19” (Epidemioloģiskās drošības pasākumi un pretepidēmijas pasākumi Covid-19 izplatības ierobežošanai), international passenger carriage is allowed to and from countries where the spread of Covid-19 cannot pose a serious threat to public health, as well as to certain third countries in accordance with the European Commission's list of safe countries. This means that international passenger carriage is not provided to countries where the cumulative 14-day incidence rate per 100 000 inhabitants is twice the average rate of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom. The list of these countries is available on the website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
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Passengers should note that the list of the countries to which flights are permitted may change. The list is updated once a week on Fridays and the flight ban takes effect the following Monday. |
The current 24-hour flight schedule can be found on the Airport's website.
Until what date are the restrictions set?
The restrictions on international flights have been set until the Cabinet determines a different procedure for operating flights. Please keep abreast of any changes.
Where, when and how does flight information appear?
The current 24-hour flight schedule can be found on the Airport's website 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 wearing a mask, 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 keep 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 when 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 their flight!
There are no special health checks for arriving passengers at Riga Airport. If a passenger has arrived in one of the Baltic countries from a country with a Covid-19 cumulative 14-day incidence between 16 and 25 per 100 000 inhabitants, this person is subject to 10-day self-isolation when entering one of the Baltic countries. The list of these countries is available on the website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).
Before entering Latvia, all passengers are requested to fill in a questionnaire confirming that upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the confirmation, passengers must indicate their name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and address of the actual place of residence where they can be reached, as well as countries and dates of departure where passengers have stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia. The relevant form can be received and completed by passengers on board the aircraft or prepared in advance. The questionnaire is available on the website of the Ministry of Transport.
In turn, when arriving in one of the Baltic countries from a country where the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100 000 inhabitants is lower than 16, there are no restrictions and persons can move freely through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Will I be quarantined if I come back from abroad?
When entering Latvia, 10-day self-isolation must be observed by persons arriving in Latvia from countries published on the website of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (SPKC) where the cumulative 14-day incidence of Covid-19 cases per 100 000 population exceeds 16.
In turn, when arriving in one of the Baltic countries from a country where the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100 000 inhabitants is lower than 16, there are no restrictions and persons can move freely through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Important information for arriving passengers.
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?
Yes, passengers who have an early flight, can arrive at the airport the night before and spend the night in the airport.
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 visit European Commission's dedicated website, where you can find information on travel rules and health measures in each EU country.
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.
