New Direct Route from Riga to Oulu

Big news for Oulu and Northern Finland! Starting 29 March 2026, Latvian airline airBaltic will launch direct scheduled flights between Oulu and Riga. This new connection will operate five times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) and marks a major step in strengthening Oulu’s international accessibility, just in time for the European Capital of Culture year 2026 .

Why this route matters

For Oulu, the new connection is more than just a flight – it’s about bringing the world closer.

“AirBaltic’s new connection strengthens the international accessibility of Oulu and the whole of Northern Finland at exactly the right time, bringing visitors to enjoy the cultural year’s offerings. Our clear goal is to establish the connection also for the coming years.”

From Oulu, you can now catch an early morning flight at 04:55, arrive in Riga by 06:30, and continue the same day to major European cities like Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Tallinn, or Vilnius. And thanks to a late evening return flight, you can even make it back to Oulu the same day .

A better travel experience

Thomas Ramdahl, Acting Chief Commercial Officer at airBaltic, highlighted the importance of the new route:

“Launching flights from Oulu strengthens our presence in Finland and provides travelers in the region with greater connectivity to Europe and beyond. With seamless one-stop transfers via Riga, passengers can easily reach a wide range of popular destinations for both business and leisure, while enjoying convenient schedules and more travel options throughout the summer season.”

“airBaltic offers an unprecedented travel experience on board its modern 148-seat Airbus A220-300 fleet, which is gradually being equipped with free and fast SpaceX Starlink internet.”

Boosting business and tourism

This route is also a win for the local economy. According to BusinessOulu’s Juuso Rönnholm, the near-daily connection to Riga’s hub is a major improvement for the Oulu region’s accessibility. He reminds everyone that the sustainability of the route depends on usage – so it’s important for both business and leisure travelers to take advantage of it .

From Finavia’s perspective, the new connection strengthens Oulu Airport’s role as an international hub. Petri Vuori, Director of Route Development at Finavia, emphasizes that this will bring more international travelers to Oulu and surrounding areas – perfectly aligned with the upcoming Oulu2026 Cultural Capital year .

✈️ Flight facts

BT 384 / Oulu → Riga: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat. Departure 04:55, arrival 06:30
BT 383 / Riga → Oulu: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun. Departure 23:20, arrival 01:00 (+1 day)
Season: 29 March – 24 October 2026
Aircraft: 148-seat Airbus A220-300
Tickets: Already on sale

This new route is a game-changer for Oulu, its businesses, and its visitors. Whether you’re planning a cultural getaway, a business trip, or simply looking for smoother access to Europe, Riga will now be your gateway city.