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Summer trip to Riga

I am planning a trip to Latvia this summer and need information about the cost of landing, parking and handling (I don’t want any), as well as the availability and price of avgas etc at airports such as Riga EVRA and Spilve EVRS as well as suitable alternate airports. In addition, time permitting I might fly up to Tallinn.

EVRA in 2013: landing and two days parking 113 Euro, Handling not mandatory, AVGAS, 2,20 Euro.

Berlin, Germany

I just recently went to EVRA flying IFR, I needed handling (no slots required though) and wanted to park in a hangar as night temps were below freezing and had no desire to have frost on the plane for a morning departure. I used Riga FBO which was nice but quite pricey all in all (you do get to use the private terminal though).

Avgas was EUR 2.66/l and was a hassle as the pump is on the extreme end of the airport and you need clearance to taxi there and then they have to call the pump guy who is the same person that drives the JetA truck etc. Basically you need easily an hour from the time you get to the airport to the time you are fueled up to go. I would highly recommend fueling on arrival that way it’s done and dusted.

Also depending on your route you may or may not want to go through Russian airspace, that’s a personal choice. I didn’t and went across Poland and up through Lithuania.

Spilve is VFR only.

LFLP

EVRS is the best option is you’re planing to fly VFR. It’s 7 minutes on taxi from city center (just other side of the river). Landing is 20EUR, parking is 5EUR per night. AVGAS is available, but you’ll need to confirm it just before your flight.

EVRA is about 15 minutes taxi ride from city center and for sure it’s above 100EUR (+you’ll probably need to get a slot). For now it’s the only IFR field in Latvia.

EETN is the only option for Tallin. Last time it was around 150EUR for landing and few hours of parking with handling (which is mandatory) for 3 pax.

EVCA

I made a trip from Kjeller, Norway ENKJ to Mariehamn (Finland) EFMA, Tallinn EETN, Riga EVRS, Visby (Gotland, Sweden) ESSV and back this weekend.

I can attest to Spilve EVRS being a great GA airport. Looks a little “Soviet”, but friendly, affordable and very convenient location. 3 km from the old city in Riga. And they have a nice and efficient maintenance operation, as I found out when I found my plane with a flat tire. Riga is a nice city and well worth a visit.

But I think Tallinn EETN got a bad rap here. Of course it is the main international airport in Estonia, and you cannot expect it to be like a friendly informal and cheap GA airport. But my bill only shows 68 euros. I think I avoided VAT by giving my foreign VAT number, but ramp transport was 25 euros, landing fee 16,62 and basic handling 20 euros. And a navigation fee of 6,42. But they took great care of me, follow me car, chocked the plane, personal transport, had a nice briefing room, and I had no hassles at all getting fuel (didn´t have to touch the pump myself). I didn’t stay overnight, but my “personal escort” assured me the bill would still be less than 100 euros if I had stayed the weekend and had to pay for parking. That´s based on an MTOW of 1150. If you want to visit the city (and not only an airport) I think it is a reasonable choice.

ENKJ, ENGM, Norway

Yes, parking in EETN is not so expensive. But when you have passengers on board (without crew license) you pay extras, such as security fee, etc.

EVCA

bogivara wrote:

But I think Tallinn EETN got a bad rap here. Of course it is the main international airport in Estonia, and you cannot expect it to be like a friendly informal and cheap GA airport. But my bill only shows 68 euros. I think I avoided VAT by giving my foreign VAT number, but ramp transport was 25 euros, landing fee 16,62 and basic handling 20 euros. And a navigation fee of 6,42. But they took great care of me, follow me car, chocked the plane, personal transport, had a nice briefing room, and I had no hassles at all getting fuel (didn´t have to touch the pump myself). I didn’t stay overnight, but my “personal escort” assured me the bill would still be less than 100 euros if I had stayed the weekend and had to pay for parking. That´s based on an MTOW of 1150. If you want to visit the city (and not only an airport) I think it is a reasonable choice.

Last summer I paid €120 in EETN. It was an overnight stay with two pax. MTOM 1157 kg. And no VAT reclaim, of course.

ESKC (Uppsala/Sundbro), Sweden

Last time in Tallinn (2014) they gave me a ‘fake’ boarding pass as the only way to get to the GA office inside the terminal from outside. Snag is this meant going through X-ray where they confiscated my Estonian beer (Security guys looked well pleased). Previously they’ve given me the code to a secret door, but no more apparently. So no more Tallinn for me!

Instead, last year went to Parnu, very friendly, lovely little town.

EGBW / KPRC, United Kingdom
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