4. studija

Kā nevardarbīgi sadalīt ceļu, kurš uz viena kaimiņa mājām ved caur otra kaimiņa pagalmu?

4. studija

(Zīmju valodā). 4. studija

Kāpēc lidostā "Rīga" netiek izmantoti gaisa tilti, bet pasažieriem jāpārvietojas pa lidlauku?

Why are Rīga Airport passengers standing outside?

Passengers at Rīga International Airport have been wondering why they sometimes encounter the inconvenience of boarding their planes from outside on the tarmac when they can see unused air bridges that could have taken them from the departure terminal to their seat without exposure to the elements.  

Latvian Television's 'Studio 4' show asked why that was the case, after being contacted by viewer Marija, a viewer of the show,who described recently having to go down the stairs from the departure area with bags and suitcases, then having to wait outside, walk to the plane through rain and snow, and climb up the stairs. "It's very difficult, time-consuming and annoying – waiting outside, getting yourself and your luggage all wet. What happened to the air bridges and when will they be used again?" Marija asked.

Ilze Salna, Communications Project Manager of Riga International Airport, said that there are currently four air bridges available at the airport, through which passengers can move directly between plane and terminal. "By the end of this year, the beginning of next year, we will receive five more new air bridges that will be installed in place of old bridges, in place of bridges that have got worn out, after more than 20 years, that are difficult to maintain, and to procure parts for," Salna explained.

The first air bridges were installed at the airport in 2001, and in 2016 additional air bridges were installed.

In total, eight air bridges were available at the airport, some of which were dismantled due to wear and tear to prepare the way for the new bridges.

But why are passengers not using the ones that are available?

Salna stated that there are various reasons for this. "First of all, an airline may not choose to use an air bridge because the exchange of passengers using an airlift is much slower," explained Salna. "That's why, for example, low-cost airlines use air bridges very rarely or not at all, but classic airlines can also decide not to use an air bridge. Also, we have to take into account that we have to organize the flow of passengers in the Schengen and non-Schengen flight areas, so it is not always possible to use air bridges. Likewise, the bridge may be subject to technical maintenance."

The use of airport infrastructure is a paid service for airlines, and this is also one of the reasons why some airlines do not use these bridges, preferring to make their passengers walk.

The fact that the airport will receive five new air bridges does not mean that in the future all flights will use them, so standing outside on the tarmac will remain a risk travellers will have to take.

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