The closure of Latvian airspace by Russian-related aircraft in recent days has reduced the total number of flights across Latvia by 25%.
The information gathered by the Latvian Air Traffic (LAT) shows that the closure of airspace has had a greater impact on the number of transit flights operated by LAT. The number of incoming flights from Russia has decreased by 73%, while transit flights through Russia by passengers and cargo carriers from other countries, including China and South Asia, continue.
Together with other European countries, Latvia’s airspace is closed to commercial aircraft of carriers registered in Russia from midnight on 27 February 2022. In its turn, according to the decision of the European Council, from 28 February 2022, the use of Latvian airspace is prohibited for all Russian citizens who directly or indirectly control the aircraft, regardless of the country in which the aircraft is registered.
The Latvian Air Traffic operates 24/7 and, in cooperation with the European Union (EU) aviation safety organizations, provides air navigation services in Latvian airspace.