This week, two successful trial flights were conducted to test the cooperation between the institutions involved and the operational processes required for the export of live cattle by air from Riga to Central Asian countries. During these flights, 240 young cattle from Estonia were exported via Riga Airport to Tashkent Airport in Uzbekistan.
During the preparation and handling of the flights, the upgraded infrastructure at the AG Handling cargo terminal was tested, including a newly constructed dedicated cattle loading facility designed to meet veterinary requirements, animal welfare standards, and industry best practices. The live animal transport procedures developed by Riga Airport were also tested and validated.
“The launch of air transport services for cattle exports from Riga Airport demonstrates the aviation sector’s ability to support and develop specialised cargo segments, further strengthening the airport’s competitiveness. The broader the range of services an airport offers, the more resilient and adaptable the sector becomes, creating new opportunities for Latvia’s economy. The constructive cooperation of all parties involved, together with the swift preparations and fulfilment of all necessary requirements, demonstrates our ability to successfully deliver complex projects within a short timeframe,” says Elīna Šimiņa-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.
In spring 2026, representatives of Estonia’s cattle breeding industry expressed interest in organising live cattle exports through Riga Airport to Central Asian countries, where demand for cattle is driven by efforts to rebuild and expand herds and develop the livestock farming sector. To facilitate these operations, amendments to Cabinet regulations were required to designate Riga Airport as an official exit point for live farm animals, alongside infrastructure upgrades at the cargo terminal.
The project also required close cooperation between the Food and Veterinary Service, the Customs Board of the State Revenue Service, airline Fly Khiva, cargo terminal operator AG Handling, and cargo agent Rava Cargo. In addition, experience and best practices from other European airports handling similar cargo operations were reviewed and incorporated into the project.
Normunds Šmits, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture:
“The opportunity to export cattle through Riga Airport marks an important step in strengthening the competitiveness of Latvia’s economy and agricultural sector. It creates new opportunities for Latvian farmers to access international markets while further developing Latvia’s role as a key logistics hub in the Baltic region. From the outset, the Ministry of Agriculture was committed to turning this initiative into a practical solution for businesses. This project is an excellent example of how cooperation between public institutions and the private sector can deliver tangible benefits for economic growth while supporting more efficient transport and improved animal welfare.”
Although live cattle exports from the Baltic States to Central Asia are already established, they have become increasingly challenging in recent years due to the closure of land transit routes through Russia. Meanwhile, alternative routes via other European airports handling live cattle exports significantly extend the overall transport time from the Baltic States to the final destination.
Transporting animals by air from Riga reduces the time spent in ground transport and enables shorter, more efficient flight routes. This improves overall transport efficiency while supporting better animal welfare throughout the journey.
While the project was initially driven by the interest of Estonian cattle breeders, Latvian farmers also expressed interest in using this export channel during the implementation phase. As a result, flights carrying cattle raised in Latvia have already been approved.
The next flights are scheduled for early November.