Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced the launch of a new base in Latvian capital Riga.
The new base will be active as of October 2021 and will bring 2 based Boeing 737-800 and 16 new international routes to European destinations that will have a connection to Riga and Latvia.
The new connections will include three new destinations in Italy (Rome Ciampino, Palermo and Venice Treviso), two in Poland (Warsaw Modlin and Krakow), Germany (Memmingen and Frankfurt Hahn) and Ukraine (Kyiv Boryspil and Lviv), and other European capital like Budapest, Oslo and Paris as well as established Ryanair destinations like Malaga, Spain and Aarhus in Denmark.
“This is a significant announcement for the Ryanair Group and a great boost for Buzz [Ryanair’s Polish airline subsidiary] in Latvia with the creation of these 60 jobs,” commented Ryanair’s Commercial Director, Jason McGuinness. “At a time when other airlines are reducing their workforce, we’re delighted to be making further investments in both our people and in airports throughout Europe and look forward to commencing the recruitment for these roles very soon,” he said.
The two aircraft will represent an investment for over 200 million dollars (approximately £145 million) into Riga International Airport, where Ryanair will eventually operate 30 international routes for 95 weekly departures and will create 60 direct jobs, ch-aviation reports.
This announcement comes just a few weeks after Ryanair has decided to open more bases around Europe during Summer 2021 to capitalise on the rebound demand that will result after travel restrictions are lifted following the COVID-19 vaccination campaign throughout Europe. During the month of March Ryanair announced bases in Corfu, Chania and Rhodes in Greece, Zagreb in Croatia and Venice Treviso in Italy.
Ryanair has decided to compete directly with Latvian flag carrier Air Baltic, which still operates more than 80% of seat capacity out of Riga International Airport.
