Latvian airline Air Baltic has opened its new "Baltic Cargo Hub" at Riga Airport (RIX). The ceremonial opening of the approximately 6.900 square meter facility took place in the presence of Transport Minister Tālis Linkaits and other high-ranking guests. The Baltic Cargo Hub is considered one of the largest and most modern air cargo handling facilities in the Baltics and is designed to meet the growing demand for efficient cargo services at Riga Airport.
The new facility is located directly on the cargo apron and is equipped with semi-automated material handling systems, enabling rapid handling. Special areas include temperature-controlled rooms for sensitive goods such as medicines, dedicated areas for dangerous goods, live animals, and valuables, as well as integrated food and veterinary services and a customs inspection point. According to Air Baltic, the Cargo Hub will enable cargo handling capacity of up to 45.000 tons per year and is open to all airlines seeking to expand in the Baltics.
Pauls Cālītis, Interim CEO of Air Baltic, described the opening as an important milestone for strengthening the region's air cargo infrastructure and for the further development of Air Baltic's cargo services. Arvīds Maurāns, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baltic Cargo Center, emphasized the investment's future viability and its focus on the needs of global cargo companies. Modern methods such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) were used during the construction process, and the facility meets BREEAM sustainability standards.