Riga International Airport has new chairperson of the board – Ilona Lice

Riga, Monday, March 20th, 2017. As of today, Ministry of Transport of Latvian Republic approved Ilona Līce as Riga International Aiport’s chairperson of the board.

Ilona Lice has more than 10 year experience in aviation industry, since 2011 she is a member of the Board of SJSC "Riga International Airport” and for several times Lice has been appointed to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board, ensuring stability and continuity in the company. She has also acquired considerable experience in managerial positions both in public administration and in business sector.

Newly appointed chairperson of the board believes that long-term growth of Riga International Airport lies in long-haul destinations, supplementing the current more than 70 routes with new intercontinental passenger flights and long-haul cargo flights.

"Riga Airport is currently the undisputed leader in the Baltic Region, offering the widest network of destinations and handling more than 5 million passengers per year; however, we should not rest on our laurels. Intercontinental flights will facilitate further development of Riga Airport, attract new passengers and give us a competitive advantage in the Baltic Region," says Lice. To achieve this, it is important to increase revenue from commercial activities, thereby ensuring competitive Airport tariffs.

In turn, marking the short-term goals, Lice stresses that currently the Airport needs to prepare for the summer tourist season. Since airlines plan to open 14 new destinations, a significant increase in passenger numbers is expected at Riga Airport this summer. Riga International Airport will be ready: the construction of a modern ventilation system in the check-in hall has been completed, additional check-in counters have been set up. The security control area will be significantly expanded, and after reconstruction, there will be nine security-screening lines. It is also planned to set up self-service baggage drop-off lines.  

"These improvements aim to improve passenger comfort before the ambitious Airport terminal expansion project is implemented. The project foresees expansion of the passenger check-in hall, baggage claim and sorting areas, as well as construction of a multi-level car park," Lice says.  

Lice outlines environmental issues as an important aspect of Airport operations, underlining the ecological values and considering the Airport's environmental policy as one of her key priorities. "The Airport is currently working on a Cohesion Fund project, which will allow for environmentally-friendly infrastructure improvements, reducing emissions and environmental pollution," Lice informs.

Ilona Lice holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Latvia; she has taken part in top-level specialised training for aviation business managers, supplementing her knowledge in training programmes offered by Cranfield University in the UK, Airports Council International (ACI) and International Air Transport Association (IATA).