On 5th September, an airBaltic Fokker-50 flew from Riga to the western port city of Liepaja, inaugurating a new era in Latvian aviation history. Appropriately, its flight number was BT-001. In the words of Transport Minister Ainars Slesers, a passenger on the maiden voyage, “I’m delighted that a direct flight to Liepaja has been opened. It’s a positive revolution in the development of Latvian aviation, because whereas hitherto, all flights have been aimed at international travel, now the people of Latvia have been given the chance to get to Liepaja more quickly and comfortably than ever before. We have all seen how it is possible fly from city to city in other countries, and the same is now possible in Latvia.”

Uldis Sesks, the mayor of Liepaja, was similarly buoyant. “Today, we are not creating something new, but reviving something long forgotten. Liepaja has had an airport since 1937, though originally it was on the land now occupied by the “Laumas” buildings. In the early 1970s Liepaja offered daily flights to at least five international destinations, but there have been no regular flights for the last twenty years.

“airBaltic’s flights from Riga to Liepaja will not only ensure the development of Liepaja’s airport and attract new business and leisure clients to the city: they are also a sign of the economic growth across the entire Kurzeme region.

“Based on these first flights, both the airline and the municipality will be able to predict more accurately the number and composition of passengers and conduct further analyses of traffic in each direction. Our common goal is to link the Liepaja-Riga route to further European destinations and to offer further long-term routes.”

To celebrate the event, Martins Ritins, renowned chef and director of the prestigious restaurant Vincents, cooked up a special meal in flight: the renowned “four kings” of Latvian fish, a sushi speciality of salmon, pike-perch, herring and trout, together with two of Liepaja’s regional specialities: hemp milk, and a sea buckthorn – chèvre cheesecake. Renowned Latvian singer Guntis Veits of local band Credo provided music for the celebrations, while Liepaja municipality were lavish in their hospitality.

airBaltic will fly to Liepaja four times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departure from Riga on these days will be at 10:30, while the return flight from Liepaja will leave at 11:30. Flights will operate until October 15th, and will recommence in the spring.

Ticket prices will be based on a one-way ticketing structure and will start from Ls 19 (including airport taxes) one way. Tickets are already on sale in airBaltic ticket offices, the airBaltic website and through travel agencies.

airBaltic will operate its flights to Liepaja with a 46-seat Fokker-50 aircraft. Flight time is 40 minutes.