Latvian Television confirmed with the airline that the defect did not affect flight safety.
“The decision to return the plane to the still-nearby Riga airport was taken because here [..] there is more scope for the necessary repair work. It is already in the process and it is expected that the aircraft will return to work in the afternoon,” said the airline's representatives.
A flight to Split is already being secured by another airBaltic aircraft. According to the company, the total flight delay is expected to be slightly under three hours.