26/06/2009
In 2009 the state-run JSC RIGA International Airport forecasts more than four million passengers, 25 million lats in turnover and from 1,5 to 2 million lats in profit.
The trends in the passenger growth for the first five months of the year give a reason to believe that in 2009 RIGA International Airport will reach the mark of 4 million people. Such a rate will allow to reach the turnover of 25 million lats and receive the planned profit from 1,5 to 2 million lats. The growth in the number of passengers has become possible due to the rapid increase in the transit traffic. While in 2008 the transit travelers constituted only 14 per cent of the passenger flow, now they make already 30 per cent of the total passenger volume. “The numbers reflecting the rapid growth of the airport allow to forecast that the airport will bring more than 2 percent to the Latvian GDP, which is quite an impressive contribution during the economic depression. I am confident that successful development of the airport will stimulate the revival in the other sectors of the country’s economy”, says Krisjanis Peters, SJSC Riga International Airport Chairman of the Board. Currently, the airport in partnership with the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Latvia finalizes the draft of its development, which is a last step before its realization. “TAV Havalimanlari Holding (TAV) is our strategic partner in the execution of the plan of the airport development. Of course, the situation in the world aviation industry makes us bring corrections into our plans, however, the experience of TAV Havalimanlari Holding is the best guarantee for reaching the goals we have set”, continues Peters. “Right now we are in the process of choosing the best option of cooperation with national airBaltic, in order to gain the maximum benefit from the joint effort in serving the state and public interests”, concludes Peters.