Riga Airport joins EASA COVID-19 prevention charter

Riga Airport has joined the EASA Charter to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, demonstrating that the airport is ready to work according to the highest aviation epidemiological safety standards and cooperate to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport, Laila Odiņa, emphasised: “Passenger safety and health is our utmost priority. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Riga Airport has invested a lot of effort in improving both passenger and aircraft service processes, as well as the airport’s infrastructure, in order to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. By joining the EASA Charter, the airport demonstrates its readiness to act and cooperate with others in order to ensure that air travel is as safe as possible and our passengers are protected.”

Joining the Charter is a testimony to the fact that the epidemiological safety programme #NeļaujVīrusamCeļot (Forbid the virus from travelling) introduced at Riga Airport in May 2020 corresponds to the EASA-ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol. The document contains the scientifically-grounded guidelines designed by EASA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for airports and airlines regarding the introduction of measures for reducing COVID-19 risks.

The Charter also provides weekly information and data exchanges between the members of the Charter and EASA. By analysing the information provided on the increase of passenger flow intensity and the incidence and spread of the disease, EASA is going to evaluate the efficacy of the measures introduced and, if necessary, will be able to respond to the current situation fast.

By now, the EASA Charter has been signed by more than 40 European airports and airlines.

At the airport, passengers are required to wear a medical mask and are provided with the opportunity to observe more vigilant hand hygiene and physical distancing wherever possible.

Employee protection measures have also been implemented, and additional cleaning and disinfection measures are taken at the airport.