airBaltic offers connections between Scandinavia and former Soviet Union One-Way Fares for Transit Flights via Riga

Riga, October 31, 2005 –the Latvian airline, member of SAS group, airBaltic is increasing the number of destinations that are served in former Soviet Union and offers one-way ticket prices from Scandinavia to those destinations. Thus airBaltic is one of the airlines in Europe to offer most destinations in former Soviet Union.
As from October 31, airBaltic will commence direct flights from Riga, Latvia to east Ukraine’s largest industrial city – Dnepropetrovsk. This will be the airline’s third direct destination in Ukraine, in addition to Kiev and Odessa. airBaltic also operates flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Minsk.
The president of airBaltic, Bertolt Flick, comments: “Former Soviet Union countries are rapidly developing markets. However, even to this day, travel possibilities to CIS are limited and complicated from Scandinavia as well as the rest of the Europe. We are pleased to be able to offer passengers convenient and inexpensive transit flights via Riga to three major Ukrainian cities, two Russian and the capital city of Belarus.”
Flying from Stockholm via Riga the connecting flights are possible five destinations – Moscow, (711 SEK*), Minsk (660 SEK) and three Ukrainian cities – Kiev, Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk, price starting from 966 SEK.
There are five transit flights via Riga from Helsinki, too – Minsk (85 EUR), Moscow (90 EUR) and flights to Ukraine – Kiev, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk- from 112 EUR.
From Copenhagen, one can travel to Moscow (835 DKK), Kiev (996 DKK) and Minsk (795 DKK).
There are four transit flights from Oslo via Riga to – Minsk (821 NOK), Moscow (863 NOK), and two Ukrainian cities – Kiev, and Dnepropetrovsk, price starting from 1001 NOK. airBaltic has also increased the number of flights between Riga and Oslo. Throughout the winter season flights will operate nine times per week: daily every day except Saturdays, and twice daily on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
As is known, airBaltic introduced the one-way ticket pricing structure in 2003, and last year the structure was introduced for nearly all non-stop flights from Riga and Vilnius. This makes the process of travel much simpler for passengers, and it offers a wide range of prices. It is very important that the Sunday rule is not in effect here – people do not have to spend Saturday night at their destination to get the best price. There are extensive opportunities for one-way flights, which can be combined with other forms of transport and other tourism services.
* all prices are one-way, starting level, airport fees included

airBaltic in brief

AIR BALTIC CORPORATION (airBaltic) is a joint-stock company founded in 1995. The main shareholders are the Latvian state (52.6%) and airline SAS AB (47.2%). In 2004, airBaltic’s operating income was Ls 51.6 million, and the airline carried 589 288 passengers. Currently, airBaltic operates direct flights from two Baltic capitals: Riga and Vilnius.

From Riga, airBaltic flies to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, Helsinki, Istanbul, Kiev, Liepaja, London, Manchester, Milan, Minsk, Moscow, Munich, Odessa, Oslo, Paris, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Tallinn, Vienna and Vilnius. On 31st October this year, airBaltic will begin direct flights to Dnepropetrovsk.

From Vilnius, airBaltic operates direct flights to Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, Helsinki, London, Munich, Oslo, Riga, Tallinn and Vienna. This winter, airBaltic plans to begin direct flights to Stockholm.

The airBaltic fleet currently consists of seven Boeing 757-500s and seven Fokker-50s.

For further information, please contact:
Vija Dzerve, Vice-President corporate communications
A/S Air Baltic Corporation
Riga international airport
LV-1053 Riga, Latvia
Tel. (+371) 720 7726
Email: Vija.Dzerve@airBaltic.lv