Latvia to Allow Flights to and From Third Countries Starting From March 17

The Latvian Government decided on March 9 to lift the ban for international passengers using air travel to and from non-European countries.

All flights, including tour operating services, to and from third countries will be available from March 17.

Other countries, such as Estonia and Lithuania, have permitted international travelling to and from third countries, including flights to tourist destinations as well, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

Currently, Latvian residents use transit flights through Estonia and Lithuania and then return to Latvia by road. The Ministry of Transport asserted that this form of travelling makes it harder for them to trace the travellers and make sure that all Coronavirus prevention measures are being followed.

The Coronavirus situation has affected the aviation sector, too, causing an enormous drop in flights, revenue, and passengers.

“The lifting of the ban on passenger transport to and from third countries will have a positive impact on the operation and competitiveness of Riga International Airport and airBaltic, as Latvia remains one of the last EU Member States to ban such transport and negatively affect the competitiveness of the aviation industry,” a press release of the Slovenian Ministry of Transport said.

According to the Ministry, the number of Coronavirus cases imported by air into the country is relatively small compared to the presence of COVID-19 in Latvia.

In 2020, Latvia confirmed 40,904 cases of the Coronavirus. A total of 892 cases were imported from other countries, and 250 cases were imported by air transport, which represents 0.61 per cent of the total.

“Since the requirement to perform the Covid-19 test before travel, the number of imported cases has continued to decrease,” the Ministry reported.

In order to provide safe air transportation, the press release informed that all passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test and the QR code before boarding to confirm the completion of the online form “covidpass.lv”.

The Coronavirus test should not be older than 72 hours before boarding, and the e-confirmation must be filled 48 hours before entering Latvia. All persons that have returned from a country on the red list must quarantine for ten days.

Up to this date, Latvia has registered 91,636 cases of COVID-19, 1,726 deaths, 81,858 people have been recovered, and 8,052 cases are currently active.

AtoZSerwisPlus.com has previously reported that the European Commission approved the plan to grant up to €39.7 million for the Riga International Airport’s recapitalisation. The Latvian airport experienced significant losses due to the Coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions.