newstodate.aero
Aug 16, 2010 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier is determined to air its version of the conflict building up between the airline and Riga Airport that attempted to obtain a court verdict to arrest airline assets.
-It is not acceptable to us, and it will never be acceptable that the International Airport Riga maintains a clearly discriminatory position against airBaltic. We do support terms providing for fair competition at the airport for all airlines, says Bertolt flick, airBaltic President and CEO.
-As from November of last year, Riga Airport has increased the fees for airBaltic several times for the purpose of covering losses caused by the contract with Ryanair. It is an absurd situation that a company, which is partially owned by the Latvian state, pays an amount, which is double compared to that paid by an Irish company Ryanair pays 4.5 EUR per passenger, while airBaltic pays more than 10 EUR.
-We have had numerous discussions about this discriminatory situation with both the Minister of Transport, as well as the airport management. However, we have not been able to arrive at any solution. airBaltic has lodged a claim with the Competition Council in this respect and has submitted an application to the court with the actual amount of losses of 7 million LVL.
-airBaltic is not interested in Ryanair paying more. We are prepared to conclude a contract with the airport Riga at any moment based upon equal privileged conditions to those granted to Ryanair.
-At present airBaltic in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport is looking for a solution to this situation to ensure that the Latvian airline is not discriminated. We are surprised to see that the airport Riga is using intimidation tactics instead of looking for a constructive solution to the situation, says Mr Flick
-It is not acceptable to us, and it will never be acceptable that the International Airport Riga maintains a clearly discriminatory position against airBaltic. We do support terms providing for fair competition at the airport for all airlines, says Bertolt flick, airBaltic President and CEO.
-As from November of last year, Riga Airport has increased the fees for airBaltic several times for the purpose of covering losses caused by the contract with Ryanair. It is an absurd situation that a company, which is partially owned by the Latvian state, pays an amount, which is double compared to that paid by an Irish company Ryanair pays 4.5 EUR per passenger, while airBaltic pays more than 10 EUR.
-We have had numerous discussions about this discriminatory situation with both the Minister of Transport, as well as the airport management. However, we have not been able to arrive at any solution. airBaltic has lodged a claim with the Competition Council in this respect and has submitted an application to the court with the actual amount of losses of 7 million LVL.
-airBaltic is not interested in Ryanair paying more. We are prepared to conclude a contract with the airport Riga at any moment based upon equal privileged conditions to those granted to Ryanair.
-At present airBaltic in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport is looking for a solution to this situation to ensure that the Latvian airline is not discriminated. We are surprised to see that the airport Riga is using intimidation tactics instead of looking for a constructive solution to the situation, says Mr Flick