Rolands Petersons: there is potential for powerful regional airports in Latvia

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Rolands Petersons there is potential for
powerful regional airports in Latvia
1888 PressRelease - Rolands Petersons, member of
the board of CPM Trading SIA "There is a certain
necessity of a forward-looking air transport
system that will also contribute to the creation
of a socially balanced economic policy in
Latvia." The free movement of goods, services,
capital, and people-these are the pillars that
form an essential foundation for welfare and
employment in Europe. Mobility is the fundamental
premise for these four core values to be
strengthened not only in the domestic market but
also beyond its borders. This is particularly
significant in the Baltic Sea region, where a
well thought-out and developed transport system
is one of the positive development factors.
Flight-related activities have both direct and
indirect impact on the economy. The direct impact
includes the income derived from the activities
of airline personnel and ground handling workers,
whereas the indirect input implies all purchases
in the aviation sector from locally based
suppliers who basically do not represent the
aviation sector. Additional impact on the economy
of Latvia is formed by the costs of aviation
sector employees and service providers. More
than 30 airports are located in Lithuania There
are four international airports operating in
Lithuania - in Kaunas, Palanga, Siauliai, and, of
course, in Vilnius, and there are more than 30
smaller airports and military airfields. In
Estonia, airports are mainly located in the
capital in Tallinn, as well as in Tartu,
Kuressaare, Kerdle and Pärnu. These are
international airports, however, there are more
than 15 private and military airports and
so-called airports of local importance located
throughout the country. Latvia still has only two
international airports - in Riga and in Liepaja
there are also small airdromes, for example, in
Spilva, in Tukums and Ventspils, and several
other military flight platforms though. Riga
International Airport entered the top five
rapidly growing airports in Europe last year,
which lead to an increase in the number of
passengers by 16.2. Therefore, it underscores
the fact that even though the airport in Liepaja
will have to put a lot of time and effort to its
development, it brings a great potential, which
can give a significant and valuable contribution
to the domestic economy of the country.
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A successful start is taken after
reconstruction The airport in Liepaja did a great
job - in 2015 after its reconstruction was
completed. At the airport a significant drainage
effort was undertaken, a new cover for the
take-off track was laid, the take-off strip was
reinforced, the cover of the shunting route was
improved and expanded, parking places for the
aircraft were renovated as well. After Liepaja
Airport was certified for commercial flights for
the summer season in 2016, the Latvian national
airline "AirBaltic" launched regular flights
between Riga and Liepaja. During the first half
of that year, more than 4,780 passengers were
transported along this route. The five most
popular destinations for transit flights along
the Liepaja route include London, Berlin, Moscow,
Copenhagen, and Hamburg, which, in general,
brought very good results. Keeping in mind the
processes that are still underway, it is
important to mention the extensive
capacity-building of the airports, environment
protection in a long-term, enhancement of
cooperation with other regional airports in
Europe. It is not enough for Latvia to have only
one high-capacity airport - we have a regional
leader who can serve as an example of a
successful market behavior for others. Support
strategy for attracting new aviation
communities Liepaja airport is the only example
nowadays in terms of Latvian regional airports,
however, I see several competitive regional
airports in Latvia. To promote their development,
a thorough analysis of the passengers' potential
is needed, starting with linking their activities
with the existing types of transport in the
surrounding region, forming a support strategy to
attract new aviation communities, passengers, and
additional services for client groups, bearing in
mind that the added value of airports is formed
by airlines operating there, strategic
cooperation partners and service providers.
Without a doubt, it is also essential to study
the ultimate goals of tourist destinations, in
order to promote the growth of the travel market
and ensure its positive impact on the
economy. Infrastructure for a variety
multifaceted of commercial activities The
strategic objective of the regional airports is a
creation of the favorable and unified conditions
for the enterprises and institutions operating
there, as well as to proactive procurement of a
sufficient infrastructure for the development
various of commercial activities. It is also
necessary to develop new ways of cooperation in
order to actively identify airlines that are
ready to join the development of new travel
destinations and to expand their market share in
the airport. Apart from this, it is necessary to
work on the incentive prerequisites for launching
new flights.
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The imperfection of the transport system can no
longer be an obstacle, with the 85 million
inhabitants who live in the Baltic Sea region,
who can be isolated or cut off from the rest of
the European Union, or may face serious travel
problems. The power generated by the economy and
innovation provides the Baltic Sea Region with
opportunities to create a modern, forward-looking
transport system that will also contribute to the
creation of a socially balanced economic
policy. https//cpmtrade.eu