newstodate.aero
Jan 07, 2010 (newstodate): In 2009, the Latvian carrier increased its passenger volumes in 2009 by six percent, to 2,757,404 passengers.
The carrier, however, envisages a tough future, with economic conditions in the Baltic markets to worsen in 2010 compared to 2009.
-GDP will continue to decline in 2010 and no recovery can be expected until summer 2011. We will see further collapse of local passenger traffic in the Baltics, as buying power of residents diminishes due to higher taxes, lower incomes and rising unemployment, the company says.
To manage the situation the carrier is therefore focusing on increasing its transit volume, and plans are to set up "at least" nine new routes in 2010 with a focus on niche markets in Scandinavia and the CIS where airBaltic faces a low level of competition.
-In order to boost future development, airBaltic sees the continued necessity for building a new airport terminal in its hub at Riga, and construction has to start as soon as possible if Riga Airport is willing to accommodate any growth beyond 2011, the carrier says.
In March 2009 the Turkish construction company TAV won the tender for developing Latvia's state-owned Riga Airport including a new airport terminal and a second runway by the middle of 2010, aiming at completing the first stage June, 2012.
In September 2009, Riga Airport however recommended to the Latvian ministry of transport that the tender process with TAV be discontinued.
Riga Airport is still maintaining the vision of a growth to 30 mio passengers in 20 years - but that has become a long-term goal rather than the basis for investments in immediate construction works.
airBaltic, on the other hand, has maintained its decision to see the realization of the airport terminal project even if it will require partnership with other investors.
The carrier, however, envisages a tough future, with economic conditions in the Baltic markets to worsen in 2010 compared to 2009.
-GDP will continue to decline in 2010 and no recovery can be expected until summer 2011. We will see further collapse of local passenger traffic in the Baltics, as buying power of residents diminishes due to higher taxes, lower incomes and rising unemployment, the company says.
To manage the situation the carrier is therefore focusing on increasing its transit volume, and plans are to set up "at least" nine new routes in 2010 with a focus on niche markets in Scandinavia and the CIS where airBaltic faces a low level of competition.
-In order to boost future development, airBaltic sees the continued necessity for building a new airport terminal in its hub at Riga, and construction has to start as soon as possible if Riga Airport is willing to accommodate any growth beyond 2011, the carrier says.
In March 2009 the Turkish construction company TAV won the tender for developing Latvia's state-owned Riga Airport including a new airport terminal and a second runway by the middle of 2010, aiming at completing the first stage June, 2012.
In September 2009, Riga Airport however recommended to the Latvian ministry of transport that the tender process with TAV be discontinued.
Riga Airport is still maintaining the vision of a growth to 30 mio passengers in 20 years - but that has become a long-term goal rather than the basis for investments in immediate construction works.
airBaltic, on the other hand, has maintained its decision to see the realization of the airport terminal project even if it will require partnership with other investors.