History

LatCharter airlines was launched in april 1992. Its founders were four professional pilots and one experienced engineer. The aim of the company was to operate charter based flights out of Riga. This was successfully achieved in 1993, when LatCharter airlines operated its first charter flights from Riga to Rimini with holiday tourists. In 1993, the fleet consisted of one leased TU-134B aircraft.

Since 1994, when the department of tourism was established, customer interest in air travel has gradually increased. To meet customers demand LatCharter airlines operated summer charter flight programs from Riga to Rimini and carried about 1500 passengers. The expansion of charter activities led to the creation of LatCharter airlines own tour-operator department in 1994. We were the first who started to offer package holiday deals out of Riga. Over the next couple of years (1995 and 1996) LatCharter airlines bought two TU134B aircraft with seating capacities of 76-80 seats.

Gradually LatCharter airlines has expanded its route network. During the summer of 1995 LatCharter airlines was operating charter flights to Rimini, Barcelona, Antalya, Athens and Heraklion. The total number of carried passengers steadily grew and LatCharter airlines became the second largest Latvian carrier. The LatCharter airlines clientele is not limited to local tour-operators. Among our ad-hoc customers were also shipping companies, artists, businessmen and football and basketball teams. Most notably, Latcharter has been involved in flying the Anderlecht football team, Olympiakos and Panatanaikos basketball teams; Whitney Houst, East 17 and British Gas staff. LatCharter airlines have operated for two dignitaries in official capacity: one for the President of Latvian Republic and another for the Prime Minister of Norway.

In 1999 and 2000 LatCharter Airlines leased aircraft and crew to the OSCE to operate charter flights on their behalf. In 2000 LatCharter airlines expanded its fleet by two YAK-42D aircraft with a capacity of 115 seats and spent a considerable sum in upgrades. The aircraft were equipped with ACAS II, GPS, oxygen equipment and me JAR requirements. During summer 2001 LatCharter airlines operated charter flights on regular basis to Antalya, Dalaman, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Palma de Mallorca, Pescara, Thessaloniki, Varna and carried a total of 31368 passengers. Passengers turnover increase of 85% since the previous year strengthened the companies position on the market.

Our main task is to provide our customers with flight safety. Our crews are qualified and well experienced in operating international flights. Our own properly equipped technical center and our technical staff (engineers and technicians) ensure appropriate and professional maintenance of aircrafts.

Since our early days we have paid special attention to the quality of in-flight service. Our flight crew and flight attendants (air hostess) are glad to provide you qualified and friendly in-flight service and do all the best to ensure your safety and comfort.