Riga International Airport (Latvian: Starptautiskā lidosta "Rīga"; IATA: RIX, ICAO: EVRA) is the international airport of Riga, the capital of Latvia, and the largest airport in the Baltic states with direct flights to over 90 destinations in 30 countries. It serves as a hub for airBaltic, SmartLynx Airlines, RAF-Avia, Vip Avia and Inversija and as one of the base airports for Wizz Air. Latvian national carrier airBaltic is the biggest in the airport, followed by Ryanair.
The airport is located in the Mārupe municipality 5.4 NM (10.0 km; 6.2 mi) west of Riga and is a state-owned joint-stock company, with the owner of all shares being the government of Latvia. The holder of the state capital share is Latvia's Ministry of Transport.
History
The airport was built in 1973 as an alternative to Spilve Airport, which had become outdated.
Renovation and modernization of the airport was completed in 2001, coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city. In 2006 and 2016, the new north terminal extensions were opened. The airport has three terminals: A & B for Schengen and C for both Schengen and non-Schengen departures. Arrivals 1, in terminal A, handles the Schengen arrivals, while Arrivals 2, in terminal C, handles the non-Schengen arrivals. A maintenance, repair and overhaul facility was opened in the autumn of 2006, to be run as a joint venture between two local companies: Concors and SR-Technik. The airport has ILS CAT II.
The airport is owned by the Republic of Latvia via the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia.
