The structure of the Baltic aviation market is gradually changing, and Lithuania is increasingly trying to strengthen its role within it, Andris Kalniņš, president of the Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association (LVRA), told the LETA News Agency.
He noted that for a long time the situation on the Baltic aviation map was clear. Riga Airport was the undisputed regional hub, and Latvia held a stable leading position in this field. Riga had the broadest route network in the Baltics, the airport handled significantly more passengers than airports in neighbouring countries, and it served as the main connectivity hub for the entire region. This connectivity was one of the factors that helped Riga establish itself as a Baltic business and transport centre.
However, Kalniņš points out that data from 2025 and early 2026 indicate that this advantage is no longer as self-evident. Looking at passenger traffic trends at Baltic airports, it can be seen that Lithuania is gradually catching up with Latvia and, in certain periods, even surpassing it. Although passenger traffic in Lithuania is distributed across several airports — Vilnius Airport, Kaunas Airport, and Palanga Airport — the total number of passengers served is close to that of Riga Airport and at times exceeds it. This indicates that the structure of the Baltic aviation market is gradually shifting.
Kalniņš notes that just a few years ago such a scenario seemed unlikely. Riga Airport had long been the largest and strongest in the Baltics, and competition from neighbouring countries was relatively limited. The pandemic significantly reshaped the aviation sector, and recovery speeds have varied between countries. Passenger levels in Riga have not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, while
Lithuania has actively worked in recent years to expand connectivity and attract new routes.
Growing competition is also reflected in airline decisions. For example, Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair recently announced that it will reduce its Riga summer flight schedule for 2026 by about one fifth. This means fewer routes and potentially lower passenger flows. Such signals should be taken seriously, Kalniņš stresses, because aviation is a highly competitive industry and airlines pragmatically choose the airports where they develop their operations.
He emphasises that aviation is a vital part of the economy. Strong international connectivity means more investment, greater business activity, and more foreign visitors. Inbound tourism is also an important export sector for Latvia, as spending by foreign travellers in hotels, restaurants and other service businesses brings nearly 1.4 billion euros into the Latvian economy. Therefore, the issue of Latvia’s aviation competitiveness is not only a sectoral matter but also a broader question of economic development and international competitiveness.
Kalniņš notes that Riga Airport remains the largest airport in the Baltics, but trends show that competition in the region is increasing and Lithuania is becoming more active in seeking a larger role in the Baltic aviation market. At the same time,
Latvia has so far failed to restore a regular passenger ferry line from Riga,
which previously was an important element of regional connectivity.
“If we start losing positions in aviation as well, it means Latvia’s overall international accessibility is becoming weaker. That is precisely why these trends require much greater attention, because competition for passengers, routes and investment in the Baltics is becoming increasingly intense,” Kalniņš said.
According to earlier reporting by LETA, the three Lithuanian airports — Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga — handled 7.16 million passengers last year, which is 8.3% more than in 2024.
Meanwhile, Riga Airport handled 7.111 million passengers last year, roughly the same level as in 2024. However, compared with the pre-pandemic period, namely 2019, passenger numbers in Riga were 9% lower last year.
The Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association unites accommodation and catering companies for professional cooperation. LVRA is also a member of the European industry association Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés in Europe.
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