Airlines may begin flights to Riga

Ryanair and easyJet may begin flights to the Latvian capital of Riga, the Baltic News Service reported, citing a Riga International Airport spokesperson.

Ryanair could start flying to the Baltic state this year, while easyJet could do so next year

The Baltic Sea nation of 2.4 million people, which borders Estonia, Russia and Lithuania, had the EU’s fastest-growing economy in the first quarter. Latvian officials estimate the number of passengers at Riga airport will increase from 700,000 in 2003 to more than a million this year and 2 million in 2005.

The government last week announced plans to reduce the passenger departure fee at the airport.