Buy the tickets per the corporate rate and flight round 25/10/2009 till 31/03/2010, and draw a 5 % credit for the futured airBaltic flights! The creditable tickets could be changed and used from the begining of February till 30th of June 2010 after the first account will be recieved from the airBaltic per the previous period. Collected credit will be changable at airBaltic office in Riga (Berga Bazaar) and will be validable to use for the flights in the corporate classes excluded airport taxes and extra services, and fees.

Starting from 31st October, the cooperation between airBaltic and EuroBonus programme is about to change, more details will come soon. Members may still earn and redeem points on selected airBaltic and SAS flights. Any EuroBonus points earned may still be spent on EuroBonus offers, other EuroBonus partners and on airBaltic flights until 31st October. 

From November 1, 2009 the partnership between airBaltic and EuroBonus will change.
You will earn Extra points and you can spend points on following routes, all other routes are excluded.
Riga - Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Vilnius - Copenhagen.

Starting from November 26 airline Austrian Airlines will offer free meal service to their economy class passengers. Typical served meal examples include  the classic Austrian salad with beef, the world-famous apple strudel and a selection of the season’s new wines traditionally enjoyed at local taverns. This will be complemented by a range of other Austrian dishes, which will be changed continuously. On all international flights (c. 66-150 minutes flight time), depending on the day and time of departure, a freshly prepared breakfast or daytime meal will be served. On all domestic and ‘ultra-short-haul’ flights (up to c. 65 minutes flight time), passengers in Economy Class will enjoy a so-called ‘refreshment service’.

A new generation airline Brussels Airlines was born as a result of unification of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express. The first flight of airline will take place on March 25, 2007. Brussels Airlines has inherited the best values of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express: punctuality, excellent service, reliability, personnel who can communicate in several languages, low cost and high quality. Starting from summer next year Brussels airline will offer flights to more then 50 destinations around Europe.
More information www.eiropa.lv

Starting from March 25, 2007 airline British Airways will stop performing flights from London to Riga due to the changing situation in market. Airline British Airways offers competitive prices for Latvian passengers and the best service to more then 155 destinations around the world, flying from London as well as flights from Riga in cooperation with the Oneworld alliance partner Finnair. Money for the purchased tickets for flights taking place after March 25, 2007 will be paid back to all passengers. To receive their money back the passengers should go to British Airways office in Riga airport or to their travel agency. Airline will contact all passengers who have booked tickets at homepage ba.com

Airline airBaltic has worked out new baggage regulations which determine that skiing inventory is concerned as a specific baggage segment for which passengers of economy class should pay 20 Ls for one skiing or snowboarding equipment which can include not more than one pair of skis, a pair of boots and sticks or a snowboard and a pair of boots. Permitted registered free baggage in business class is not more than 3 baggage units with total weight till 30 kg and in economy class not more then 2 baggage units with total weight till 20kg.

Latvian airline airBaltic has increased the number of flights from Riga to Sanktpetersburg. Additionally to daily flights, night flights will be performed 4 times a week. AirBaltic has increased the number of flights from Riga to Sanktpeterburg. From Riga airBaltic planes will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 23.30, and will arrive in Sanktpeterburg at 1.55. From Sanktpeterburg to Riga flights will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5.55. The plane will arrive in Riga at 6.20. More information www.eiropa.lv

During NATO summit the work of the International Riga airport will be as following. On November 27 flight departures and arrivals will be in the usual order. Passengers who will fly with night flights (at night from November 27 to 28 till 1:30) will be able to fly in usual order as well. On November 28 and 29 commercial flights will not be cancelled although changes in departure and arrival times are possible. More precise information will be available later. Charter flights during the summit days will not take place. On November 28 and 29 all passengers of the airport will have to arrive in airport 3 hours before the departure time of the flights.
More information www.rigasummit.lv

To protect you against the new threat of liquid explosives, the European Union (EU) has adopted new security rules that restrict the amount of liquids that you can take through security checkpoints. They apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU whatever their destination. You are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in your hand luggage.  These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. You must pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger. At the airport you must present all liquids carried to the screeners at security checkpoints for examination, take off your jacket and/or coat, remove laptop computers and other large electrical devices from your hand luggage as they will be screened separately whilst you are screened. The new rules apply from Monday, 6th of November 2006 at all airports in the EU and in Norway, Iceland and Switzerland until further notice. If you have any doubts, please ask your airline or travel agent in advance of travel.

During winter season airline SAS will start new flights from Tallinn and Riga to Stockholm five times a week. New flight SK1748/SK1749 will depart from Tallinn at 06:15 and from Stockholm at 23:00. Flight Riga-Stockholm SK2760 will depart at 15:55 from Riga and arrive in Stockholm at 16:05. SK2759 will fly from Stockholm at 13:15 and arrive in Riga at 15:25. New flights will ensure even better connections between destinations in Europe and Scandinavia besides the existing co-operation flights together with partners airBaltic and Estonian Air.

German national aircarrier Lufthansa is preparing for the biggest renewing of avio park in the 50 years long history. Modernization will be directed towards the extending of existing routes as well as fastening of positions in so-called low-cost segment. At present there are discussions of the German concern with several airplane building companies – Boeing, Airbus, Embraer from Brazil and Bombardier from Canada. Totally the company Lufthansa is planning to buy more then 100 new airplanes. The management of concern also considers a possibility to create another low-cost company – similar to the already existing subsidiary Germanwings.

In accordance with the decision of Russian Federation Ministry of Transport on cessation of aviation traffic between Russia and Georgia airline company Aeroflot cancels the flight SU197 Moscow - Tbilisi (departure from Sheremetyevo-2 at 20:35). Passengers of this flight are asked to return their tickets in the Aeroflot ticketing offices without charging penalties or to proceed with Aeroflot' flight to Yerevan.

Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline has quickly found a customer - the biggest European low cost airline Ryanair which submitted its buying offer to airline Aer Lingus. Ryanair which already ows 16% of Aer Lingus stocks is ready to spend 1,48 milliard Euro in this deal to have total control over airline. In case this deal happens the united airline per year will transport approximetly 50 million passangers and according these indicators will be on a level with airlines Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.

On October 29, this year Latvian airline airBaltic will start direct flights to Sweden's city Gothenburg. Now airBaltic performs flights to five Scandinavian cities - Bergen, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. Direct flights to Gothenburg will initially be carried out three times a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with Fokker 50 type aircraft. Flight duration will be 2 hours.
More information www.eiropa.lv

On 29 September this year, Latvian airline airBaltic closed the season on flights from Riga to Liepaja, with the last plane taking off on that date. This year passenger interest and demand for that flight  have grown therefore in summer next year it is planned to continue the flights to Liepaja. This year 128 flights were carried out between Riga and Liepaja, which is 3 times more than 2005, when the airline operated 44 flights.
More information www.airbaltic.lv

From October 4 till October 6 XIV international tourism exhibition „CIS TRAVEL MARKET 2006” and XII specialised tourism exhibition “Resorts 2006” will take place  in exhibition complex „Lenekspo” on Vasilevskaja island in Russia. Two Baltic "pearls" – Riga and Jurmala will be represented in the exhibition stand by Jurmala and Riga Tourism information centres,  airline "Air Baltic", Jurmala hotel "Lielupe", and resort hotel "Jurmala Spa" as well as "Latvia Tours" and several other tourism agencies.
More information www.eiropa.lv

On September 27 Vidzeme History and Tourism Centre will offer free excursion in the Old Town of Cesis. A guide dressed in a medieval costume will lead the excursion in old town Cesis telling legends and stories of the Middle Ages. World Tourism Day is marked on September 27 since year 1980 in the whole world and its main goal is to remind of the large significance of tourism in economy, politics, culture and other spheres of society.   
More information www.eiropa.lv

The chairman of 7 Wonders Foundation Bernard Weber has announced that Saint Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul could obtain the statuss of world wonder. It has been included in the list of 21 historic monuments which apply to this title. They are  the Great Wall in China, the Coliseum in Rome, Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Statue of Liberty in New York, Sydney Opera House building, Petra town in Jordan, the Acropolis in Greece. Saint Sophia Cathedral is architectural monument of the 6th century  and is considered to be a unique cultural treasure of Istanbul.
More information www.eiropa.lv

Starting from September 30 Latvian airline company airBaltic in co-operation with tour operator Tez Tour will begin regular flights from Riga to Hurgada resort and starting from October 14 to Sharm el Sheikh resort in Egypt.  This year flights will offer also business class for tourists who book a complete travel package. Flights on these routes will depart on Saturday mornings.
More information www.eiropa.lv

In september this year several international tourism exhibitions will take place in Moscow: ”Leisure 2006” – the biggest autumn exhibition, “Luxury Leisure 2006” – exhibition dedicated to exclusive tourism and “MIBEX Russia” – exhibition and conferences about possibilities  of business tourism. During those exhibitions Tourism Development State Agency and Latvian Tourist Office in Moscow in cooperation with Latvian Embassy will organize work seminar of  Latvian companies “Spend your vacations in Latvia”. Seminar will take place on September 18 at 17.00 in rooms of Latvian Embassy in Moscow, Capligina Street 3 .  
More information www.tava.gov.lv

During the Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks' meeting on 3 September with the Republic of Malta's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michael Frendo it was agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding in the near future on the mutual exchange of experience visits by Latvian and Maltese diplomats. Minister Pabriks and his Maltese colleague agreed on the need to develop contacts between businessmen and to promote tourism between both countries. Latvian Minister expressed his appreciation of Malta's decision to open its Honorary Consulate in Riga and the Maltese Foreign Minister thanked Latvia on the high-level organisation in arranging the Maltese President's first visit from 18 to 20 June of this year which shows the constructive dialogue and friendly relations between Latvia and Malta.
More information www.eiropa.lv

Airlines suggest all tourists to place identification and contact information inside their checked baggage as well as on the outside. In the event their checked baggage is misdirected and/or the bag ID tag on the outside of the bag is missing, this will give the airlines an additional opportunity to reunite the baggage with the customer in a more timely manner. Travellers should also place a copy of their itinerary inside their bags with flights and travel dates, and local contact information for each city in their journey.

On 29th of October this year, Latvian airline airBaltic will begin direct flights to the Swiss city of Zurich. To begin with there will be direct flights from Riga to Zurich with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft three times a week, on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flight time will be 2 hours 20 minutes.“airBaltic is the fastest-growing airline in Central Europe. We will continue to react quickly and offer new flights based on our clients’ seasonal interests. Our strategy is to react quickly, effectively and with the best price to our clients’ needs, depending on the season. Zurich is famous for the nearby ski resorts, and this route is opened with that in mind,” airBaltic president Bertolt Flick said.
More information www.airbaltic.lv

According to board member of SSC Ferries the season of the ferry line Ventspils-Saaremaa has been very successful this year. The season is closing on September 3rd with a last trip from Mõntu to Ventspils at 16:00. The route is serviced by passenger and cargo ferry Scania which has space for 300 passengers and 60 cars. The trip lasts approximately four hours. All who are interested to try the cruise Ventspils - Saaremaa can look forward to the new season starting in May of 2007. The "12 miles" cruise along the river Venta and the Baltic Sea taking place on Fridays and Saturdays has turned out to be very popular as well. Therefore the management of SSC Ferries has made a decision for additional trips at the end of the season. 
More information in Latvia Tours travel agencies.

According the data of the World Tourism Organization published in June this year the most popular tourism destination is France. The second place is taken by Spain which was visited by 55,6 million tourists in year 2005.  Spain also takes the 2nd place according the income from tourism sector after the USA. According the data of this organization the celebration of Pablo Picasso 125 years' anniversary and returning of the painting "Gernica" back to Prado museum will bring even more tourists to Spain this year.
More information: www.travel.ru

On 7 August this year, Latvian airline airBaltic will bring a new product to the market – a prepaid phone-card, airBalticcard, which will allow the user to make international calls to any country worldwide. The service is offered in cooperation with the company Telecomdiscount.
More information www.airbalticcard.lv 

In connection with sharp and not predicted increase in cost of oil and accordingly aviation fuel at the airports of Latvia, Turkey, Greece and other countries of the Mediterranean, additional gathering of FUEL FEE at a rate of 15 Ls for each passenger, exception is for the children till the age of 2, is entered. Therefore since June, 26th ordering travel to the price new fuel fee will be included.

Hand baggage allowances are changing from 5 July 2006
All passengers will be able to carry one standard-sized bag and one briefcase, laptop computer bags or equivalent on all flights. The maximum size of the bag, 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in) has been set in line with the UK Department for Transport recommendations. Passengers must be able to lift their bag unaided into the aircraft overhead locker. Briefcases, laptop computer bags or equivalent must fit under the seat in front.
Free checked baggage allowances
A single allowance system based on the number of bags that can be checked in will be introduced from 11 October 2006. FIRST, Club World, Club Europe and World Traveller Plus passengers will be able to check two bags into the aircraft hold free of charge. World Traveller, Euro Traveller and UK Domestic
passengers will be able to check one bag into the aircraft hold free of charge.  A maximum bag weight of 23kg (50lbs) will apply to all bags.
More information: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagpolicy

A new sight has appeared in Italy. At Milan Malpensa airport the biggest sofa of the world is built - its overall length is 45 m. The Sofa-champion is created under the project of the English designer Tom Dickson. Sofa has been given a name - "Bombay Sapphire" - just like the fund that was established by Dickson to support the modern art. www.travel.ru

Once a year the European association of tour operators defines the most popular tourist destinations. As the most interesting countries in 2005 were recognized Croatia, Czech Republic and Iceland. The most popular sights - Tour d'Eiffel and the Roman Collosseo. Countries with the most beautiful landscapes - Switzerland and the Great Britain. The most romantic city - Paris. The French Disneyland became the winner of a nomination - "the best for families". Fans of art should visit Italy. The best places for shopping and nightlife are in London. But  in Germany You can enyoy the best service in Europe.