Unknown drones spotted at Riga airport

Unknown drones were spotted at Riga International Airport on January 13. In this regard, the Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia has asked the State Police and the State Security Service to investigate possible threats to civil aviation.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Delfi.

As reported, yesterday, January 13, Latvian airspace had to be briefly restricted three times due to flights by unidentified drones that appeared on the airport's territory. Drones posed a significant threat to civil aviation flights.

According to the Civil Aviation Agency, more than one drone was involved in flights over the territory of Riga Airport.

Due to restrictions, three aircraft had to be diverted to other airports: the airBaltic Sofia – Riga flight and the Wizzair Kutaisi – Riga flight had to be diverted to Vilnius, and the Finnair Helsinki – Riga flight was turned back to Helsinki.

During the repeated drone flights, the previously diverted airBaltic and Wizzair flights returned from the alternative aerodrome in Vilnius, remaining on standby in the airspace of the Republic of Latvia until the aerodrome opened, and then successfully landed at the airport “Riga”.

Due to restrictions imposed due to flights of unidentified drones, many flights from Riga Airport departed late.

It is noted that the information available to the Civil Aviation Agency indicates that the drone flights may have been intentionally carried out with the aim of endangering the safety of civil aircraft flights or intentionally disrupting the activities of the civil aviation sector in Latvia.

Therefore, the agency asks the State Police and the State Security Service of Latvia to investigate possible threats to civil aviation within the framework of criminal proceedings.