Baltics Air Growth: Riga Airport CEO on Geopolitical Impact & Ukraine War

Baltic Aviation Growth Hampered by Geopolitical Instability

Riga, Latvia – The growth strategy for aviation in the Baltic states is being “directly impacted” by geopolitical factors, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to RIX Riga Airport CEO Laila Odina. Speaking at The Aviation-Event 2026 in Germany on February 3, 2026, Odina stated that access to eastern markets is “significantly restricted” due to sanctions limiting flights over Russian airspace.

The comments highlight the continuing disruption to air travel caused by the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. AirBaltic, Latvia’s flag carrier, was among the first airlines to respond to the invasion, suspending flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In late February 2022, AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss described dealing with a war as “the worst you can have as an airline,” but emphasized the priority was “about the people.” The airline suspended flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg through at least the end of May 2022 and to Kyiv and Odessa indefinitely, until it was safe to resume service.

According to Cirium schedule data from February 2022, Russia accounted for 2 percent of AirBaltic’s planned capacity, while Ukraine represented nearly 5 percent. The closure of both Russian and Ukrainian airspace forced the airline to adjust routes and revise its 2022 budget to account for higher fuel prices.

Gauss stated in February 2022 that AirBaltic would “immediately re-enter and help to rebuild” Ukraine “as soon as Ukraine is a free country again.” He also made clear the airline’s position regarding Russia, stating, “Being in a war in Europe, we cannot — and don’t think it’s right — to offer connectivity to Russia.”

The impact of the war extends beyond AirBaltic. The broader aviation landscape has been affected, with airlines like Finnair also cancelling service to Moscow and St. Petersburg through the end of May 2022. Air France and the Lufthansa Group initially suspended operations to Russia “until further notice.”

Odina’s recent comments suggest the restrictions continue to pose a significant challenge to aviation growth in the Baltic region. The Riga Aviation Forum 2025, held recently, focused on airport growth and airline demand, but the geopolitical situation clearly presents a substantial obstacle to realizing those ambitions.

In March 2024, AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss detailed the challenges his airline had been facing in the wake of the war in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict and its broader geopolitical consequences, including the conflict in the Middle East, continue to shape the operating environment for airlines in the region.