Ryanair cuts Riga winter capacity by 20 percent amid rising access costs

International

Seven international routes cancelled as airline urges Latvian government and airport to lower fees to boost tourism and jobs

Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, has announced a 20% reduction in its Winter 2025 schedule from Riga, equivalent to 160,000 fewer seats, citing higher airport charges and aviation taxes that have made the Latvian capital less competitive. The cuts include the suspension of routes to Aarhus, Berlin, Edinburgh, Gdansk, Gothenburg, Memmingen, and Paris Beauvais.

Rising costs threaten Riga’s recovery

According to Ryanair, overall passenger traffic at Riga Airport remains about 10% below pre-Covid levels, while access costs have increased by 15% since the airline opened its Riga base in November 2021. In contrast, countries such as Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Albania have either reduced or abolished aviation taxes to stimulate post-pandemic tourism growth.

Ryanair said it had previously presented the Latvian government with a growth proposal to double passenger numbers in Riga to 3.4 million within five years. The plan included basing two additional aircraft — representing a US$200 million investment — and launching 14 new routes. The airline stated that these plans can only go ahead if Riga Airport and the Latvian government reduce airport charges and eliminate aviation taxes.

Statement from Ryanair

“Ryanair regrets being forced to reduce our Riga Winter 2025 capacity by 20% and cancel seven international routes,” said Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer. “These cuts follow rising access costs at Riga Airport, which have increased by 15% since we opened our base in 2021. Uncompetitive fees are undermining Latvia’s air traffic recovery and directly reducing connectivity.”

Broader implications for tourism

The airline warned that continued high costs could slow Latvia’s tourism and employment recovery, particularly during the winter season when the destination relies on year-round connectivity. Ryanair reiterated its call for the government and airport operator to adopt a more competitive cost structure to restore growth in passenger numbers, tourism, and local jobs.