Since 2022, when Russia started the full-scale war in Ukraine, the aviation industry has seen some big changes. According to airBaltic, airfares have increased by around 20% over the last three years. Prices have now stabilised and are not expected to fall. Where are Latvian residents planning to go this summer?

Summer means sun, sea, holidays and travel. If you're going further afield, you'll most likely be flying. By the end of May, Riga Airport had already served 2.7 million passengers, and airport representative Ilze Salna said that the 13 airlines operating in Riīa are increasing the number of flights in the summer and that passengers can fly from Rīga to 80 destinations.

"The most popular destinations are London, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Tallinn. If we look at countries, then the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Spain, Italy and, of course, as the summer season approaches, holiday destinations in Turkey and Egypt are becoming increasingly popular. We currently operate regular charter flights from Riga to Antalya with a Boeing 777, which can carry more than 500 passengers. This aircraft is full, and passengers are taking full advantage of the opportunity to visit these resorts," said Salna.

Ēriks Lingebērziņš, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators, noted that Latvian residents have started buying trips earlier – three to six months in advance – but sufficient competition in the leisure segment also ensures attractive last-minute offers.

"Spain and Greece are the countries that are still at the top of the list for farther travel, but what is different this year is that demand for long-haul travel continues to grow, including to exotic and distant countries such as Argentina and New Zealand. People are also increasingly looking for new places, such as trips to Montenegro and Albania. We are seeing that offers for Italian resorts are also appearing in Latvia, which may be a little more expensive. We are also seeing a trend that short group trips to Latvia and the Baltic States are still popular at weekends," revealed Lingebērziņš.

Cruise holidays are also becoming more popular among Latvian residents every year. Mārcis Kalniņš, director of the travel agency Baltic GSA, said that cruise prices have become more affordable for residents.

"If we compare the cost of a night in a hotel on the Mediterranean coast, the average price of a cruise per night starts at 65 euros per person, which includes meals, entertainment on board, and a cabin, and, yes, it's like a floating hotel. Mediterranean routes are popular all year round, and right now the Norwegian fjords are very popular because of the midnight sun, as are European rivers. And when it gets colder here, people head to the Arab Emirates, which are quite popular because of the direct flights from Riga. Historically, prices are highest in August, when most Southern Europeans are on holiday, so if you are looking for lower prices, it makes sense to look at trips in July, late September or October," said Kalniņš.

What should travellers keep in mind? It is essential to only work with licensed travel agencies and sign cooperation agreements. airBaltic recommends purchasing airline tickets at least three months in advance, as there are more than 20 different price classes available for a single route.

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