Latvian airline airBaltic yesterday launched direct flights between Riga and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. airBaltic now connects both cities with four weekly flights.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “We are proud to offer our passengers such a unique destination as Dubai, which now connects the Baltic region with the United Arab Emirates with one of the longest flights on our route map. Dubai has been one of the most demanded destinations among our passengers for some time now, and it will be hosting the Expo 2020, which attracts a lot of interest to this city.”

Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport: “Expanding the range of destinations accessible from Riga Airport with Dubai will open new opportunities for our passengers, who will be able to get to the attractive Middle East leisure and business centre faster and more conveniently. At the same time, it is also an important step forward for the Airport, continuing to strengthen Riga's position as an important air transit hub.

H.E. Mrs Hanan Al Aleeli, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Latvia: “I am pleased by the direct flights connectivity between the UAE and Latvia, which will bring new opportunities and closer ties between both countries. Inauguration of this flight coincides with the opening of Expo 2020 in Dubai which will further increase the demand for these convenient and necessary flights and provide new options for cooperation.”

*Lowest fare (round way), including taxes, fees and service charges, on www.airBaltic.com, subject to availability

Flights between Riga and Dubai are operated by the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets for the new destinations are available on the company's homepage at www.airbaltic.com.