Ryanair has not given up the idea that it could develop a base at the Riga International Airport, David O’Brian Operations Director of Ryanair, said at the European Airport Development Conference yesterday.
In the next four to five years' time the airline could place five of its airplanes at the Riga Airport, but for this major investments are still needed.
Ryanair expects Riga Airport to be cooperative similarly as it was in 2004 when the airport lowered its costs. Ryanair say that they constantly manage to cut down on their costs and that they see no reason why the airport could not do the same.
Last winter MOL said that development of a new base is a matter of cooperation with and the development of the airport. O'Leary noted that the airport should be developing at such a pace that it is able to meet Ryanair requirements on passenger turnover, and make it possible for the airline to launch its base here. According to him, opening a new hub at Riga Airport could prompt the airport's annual passenger turnover to 2.5-3 million, and the number of flights by about 20,000.