How Riga Airport Became First Climate-Neutral Hub Despite Flat Passenger Numbers
Key Points
- 1Riga Airport became the first climate-neutral airport in the Baltics in 2025, achieving Level 3+ Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA).
- 2Passenger traffic remained flat at slightly over 7.1 million, but air cargo volumes grew 7% to 20,100 tons, supported by Fly Khiva and Lufthansa Cargo.
- 3The airport also became the first in the Baltics to reach Level Three in the ACI Global Customer Experience Programme.
- 4Latvia's airBaltic (57.2%) and Ryanair (22.8%) remained the dominant carriers, with moderate growth forecasted for 2026.
The Latvian capital’s Riga Airport (RIX) announced a significant environmental milestone in 2025. The airport became the first climate-neutral airport in the Baltics by offsetting all its direct CO₂e emissions. This achievement secured Level 3+ accreditation in the global Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, managed by Airports Council International (ACI).
This environmental success comes as the airport navigates a complex operational landscape. Preliminary data shows Riga Airport handled slightly over 7.1 million passengers in 2025. This figure remained virtually unchanged from the previous year's traffic.
Operational Performance and Market Dynamics
Despite the flat Riga Airport passenger traffic, the airport saw growth in its freight segment. Air cargo volumes increased by 7% year-on-year, reaching 20,100 tons. This growth was supported by the entry of new carriers, including Fly Khiva and Lufthansa Cargo.
Latvia’s national carrier, airBaltic, maintained its dominant position. It held a 57.2 percent market share at RIX in 2025. Ireland’s low-cost carrier Ryanair remained the second-largest airline, with a 22.8 percent share. Popular routes included London and the Nordic capitals. Destinations like Helsinki, Oslo, and Stockholm were top choices.
Sustainability and Customer Experience Milestones
Achieving Level 3+ ACA status is a major step toward the airport’s NetZero 2035 goal. This recognition confirms the airport’s commitment to measurable climate impact reduction. Only about 30 of the 615 accredited airports worldwide have reached this level.
In addition to its environmental work, Riga Airport also enhanced its service standards. It became the first in the Baltic region aviation sector to achieve Level Three accreditation. This was in the ACI Global ACI Customer Experience Programme. This certification reflects a strong commitment to passenger satisfaction.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
Riga Airport CEO Laila Odiņa highlighted the importance of these achievements. She noted that sustainable development must be embedded in daily operations. The airport’s focus on air cargo volumes 2025 growth provides a crucial revenue diversification. This is important amid fierce competition for attracting airlines.
- Key Challenge: The geopolitical situation continues to limit RIX’s attractiveness for Asian carriers.
- Future Growth: Moderate but steady growth is forecasted for 2026. This is tied to stable purchasing power and GDP growth.
- Connectivity: New routes and increased frequencies from airBaltic and the return of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) are planned for 2026.
The airport’s strategy involves balancing infrastructure capacity with growing demand. It also focuses on meeting sustainability requirements. This dual focus on environment and efficiency is vital for the airport’s future. The airBaltic Ryanair market share dominance underscores the regional carrier model. It also highlights the strong presence of low-cost travel in the Baltics.
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