GEN 1.2 ENTRY, TRANSIT AND DEPARTURE OF AIRCRAFT

1. GENERAL

1.1 International flights into, from or over Latvian territory shall be subject to the current Republic of Latvia regulations relating to civil aviation. These regulations correspond in all essentials to the Standards and Recommended Practices contained in Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

1.2 Aircraft flying into or departing from Latvian territory shall make their first landing at, or final departure from an international aerodrome/heliport (see AIP Latvia, sections AD 1.3 and AD 2).

1.3 Flights over the territory of the Republic of Latvia performed by the aircraft not provided with the equipment specified in item GEN1.5 shall be performed only if authorised by the Civil Aviation Administration, except on emergency situation during a flight.

1.4 Civil subsonic jet aeroplanes fitted with low by-pass ratio engines and with a maximum take-off mass of 34 000 kg or more or capable of seating more than 19 passengers are not permitted to operate at airports situated in the Republic of Latvia unless they comply with the following requirements:

1. From 1 April 1995 they are certificated in accordance with requirements which are at least equal to the applicable standards specified in:
   1. Part II, Chapter 3, Volume 1 of ICAO Annex 16, or
   2. Part II, Chapter 2, Volume 1 of ICAO Annex 16; and that their first individual certificate of airworthiness was issued not more than 25 years before the date of the operation;
2. From 1 April 2002 they are certificated in accordance with requirements, which are at least equal to the applicable standards specified in Part II, Chapter 3, Volume 1 of ICAO Annex 16. Exemptions from requirements above mentioned in b) are made for non-scheduled or non-commercial flights for purpose of aircraft's modification, repair or maintenance until 1st April 2003.

2. SCHEDULED FLIGHTS

2.1 General

2.1.1 For regular international flights operated by foreign airlines into or in transit across Latvia, the following requirements must be met:

1. the State of the airline must be a party to the International Air Services Transit Agreement and/or the International Air Transport Agreement.
2. the airline must be eligible to make the flights under the provisions of a bilateral or multilateral agreement to which the State of the airline and the Republic of Latvia are contracting parties, and must have a permit to operate into the Republic of Latvia.

Applications for such permits shall be submitted to:

Ministry of Transport Aviation Department
3 Gogola Str. LV-1743 Riga, Latvia
TEL: (371-7)-028209
Telefax: (371-7)-028 219
AFS: NIL

And

Ministry of Transport Civil Aviation Administration
Riga International Airport LV-1053 Riga, Latvia
TEL: (371-7)-207607
Telefax: (371-7)-207 122
AFS: NIL

2.1.2 The application must follow the ICAO standard.

2.1.3 Applications for permits to operate in transit across the Republic of Latvia are not required.

2.2 Documentary requirements for clearance of aircraft

2.2.1 It is necessary that the under mentioned aircraft documents be submitted by airline operators for clearance on entry and departure of their aircraft to and from the Republic of Latvia. All documents listed below must follow the ICAO standard format as set forth in the relevant Appendices to Annex 9 and are acceptable when furnished in English, French, Spanish or Russian and completed in legible handwriting. Customs authorities may require an oral or written translation into Latvian. No visas are required in connection with such documents.

2.2.2 Aircraft documents required (arrival/departure).

Notes:
a) One copy of the General Declaration is endorsed and returned by Customs, signifying clearance.
b) If no passengers are embarking (disembarking) and no articles are laden (unladen), no aircraft document except copies of the General Declaration need be submitted to the above authorities.

3. NON-SCHEDULED FLIGHTS (CHARTER FLIGHTS)

3.1 Procedures

3.1.1 Charter flights may be operated from and to Latvia only upon permission granted by the Aviation Department of Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia and in accordance with Regulations of the Commercial Flights NR96-1.

3.1.2 No permission is required for:

1. transit flights without landing or marking stops in the territory of the Republic of Latvia for non-traffic purposes;
2. flights in connection with an emergency situation;
3. taxi flights - irregular commercial passenger flights with an aircraft foreseen for not more than 10 passengers and of weight capability not more than 5700 kg, or irregular cargo flights with an aircraft of weight capability not more than 5700 kg.

Application for charter flight shall be submitted to:

Ministry of Transport Aviation Department
3 Gogola Str. LV-1743 Riga, Latvia
TEL: (371-7)-028209
Telefax: (371-7)-028 219

within the following time limits stated in Regulations of the Commercial Flights:

1. 3 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Latvian public holidays) prior to the beginning of the single flight or a short series of flights (not more than four flights within two consecutive months);
2. 45 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Latvian public holidays) prior to the beginning of the flight or series of flights (more than four flights within two consecutive months).

3.1.4 An application for passenger charter flight shall contain the following information:

1. name, address, telephone and registration of the aircraft;
2. type, nationality and registration of the aircraft;
3. name, address, telephone and telefax numbers of the charterer;
4. routing;
5. airports, where passengers and/or freight are embarked/disembarked;
6. purpose of the flight (category of charter flight, number of passengers and/or nature and quantity of freight);
7. copy of the aircraft registration certificate;
8. copy of the charter contract;
9. copies of the necessary insurance policies;
10. flight number.

3.1.5 The application shall be made by the aircraft operating agency actually performing the transport.

3.1.6 Aviation Department may determine additional conditions and obligations or interdict transports as far as public traffic interests are considerably impaired by non-scheduled commercial air traffic.

3.2 Documentary requirements for clearance of aircraft

3.2.1 Same requirements as for SCHEDULED FLIGHTS

4. PRIVATE FLIGHTS

4.1 Advance notification of arrival

4.1.1 The information contained in the flight plan is accepted as adequate advance notification of the arrival of incoming aircraft.

5. FLIGHTS OF STATE AIRCRAFT

5.1 A prior permission for a flight into or in transit over Latvian territory of military aircraft and other state aircraft should be requested. The request must be submitted to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of theRepublic of Latvia at least 3 working days before the flight date. The address is:

Foreign Affairs of Republic of Latvia
State protocol
Diplomatic corps division
36 Brivibas boulevard
LV-1395 Riga, Latvia
TEL: (371 -7) -01 or 225
Telefax:( 371 - 7) - 211 668 or (371-7) - 828 121

The application shall contain the following information:

1. nationality and registration marks and type of aircraft.
2. name and address of operator.
3. flight NR.
4. aerodrome and estimated time of departure.
5. date and time (UTC) of entry into Latvian airspace.
6. route of flight (within Latvian airspace);
7. destination aerodrome and estimated time of arrival;

Return flight:

• flight NR;
• aerodrome and estimated time of departure;
• route of flight (within Latvian airspace);
• destination aerodrome and estimated time (UTC) of arrival.

General data:

• purpose of flight;
• number or persons and/or amount of freight to be loaded or unloaded.

6. SCIENTIFIC-RESEARCH FLIGHTS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF AVIATION AERIAL WORKS

6.1 The prior permission for all of aspects of aviation aerial works into or in transit over Latvian territory should be requested at least 7 work days before the intended day of operation to CAA, address see GEN 1.1-1.

The request must contain the following information:

• name and address of operator;
• nationality and registration marks and type of aircraft;
• aspect of aviation aerial works;
• aerodrome and estimated time (UTC) of departure;
• date, point and estimated time (UTC) of entry into Latvian airspace;
• route of flight (within Latvian airspace);
• location of aviation aerial works (geographic co-ordinates);
• time (UTC) from/to) of aviation aerial works;
• exit route from the district of aviation aerial works;
• aerodrome and time (UTC) of arrival.

Return flight:

• flight NR;
• date of departure;
• aerodrome and estimated time (UTC) of departure;
• route of flight (within Latvian airspace);
• destination aerodrome and estimated time (UTC) of arrival;

7. PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES APPLIED TO AIRCRAFT

Health measures and Public health requirements are prescribed by the International Health Regulations, the Regulations of the Cabinet of the Republic of Latvia NR. 257, 21.07.98" The order of carrying out the sanitary - medical ( health ) measures to prevent the spread of dangerous infectious diseases".

7.1 Prior to entering the airspace of the Republic of Latvia the pilot-in- command on board an international aircraft informs the border guards or sanitary- medical inspection officers in case of suspected infection of cholera, plaque, arthropod - borne viral fevers and haemhorragic fevers ( Ebola viral disease, Lassa fever, yellow fever, Marburg viral disease ) on board.

7.2 Entering the territory of Latvia the pilot- in -command on board an international aircraft has to show general declaration to Public health officer.

7.3 If the information is received that an aircraft from an infected country ( territory ) has entered Latvia Public health officer takes the following measures:

7.3.1 Primary medical examination of the disembarked persons and gathering the information on direct or indirect communication with infected persons;

7.3.2 Sanitary hygienic inspection of the aircraft, cargo ( except transit cargo containers not to be reloaded), drinking water and luggage.

7.3.3 Organization of isolation ( hospitalization ) of infected persons;

7.3.4 passage prohibition of cargo, personal luggage and international mailings in case of real threat to spread an infection;

7.3.5 Organization of deratization, disinfection and disinsection of the aircraft entered the territory of Latvia, cargo, containers, drinking water and luggage if there is a reasonable suspicion that a pathogen or a carrier is on board.

GEN 1.3 ENTRY, TRANSIT AND DEPARTURE OF PASSENGERS AND CREW

1. CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

1.1 Upon landing and before departure at an international airport in the Republic of Latvia all aircraft, crew members, passengers baggage and load, including cargo, international mail shipments and stores are subject to customs clearance.

1.2 Customs clearance of passengers and crew members shall be carried out in accordance with the Latvian Customs Regulations concerning Single Person. Crew members are cleared after customs clearance of passengers and load on arrival and before passengers on departure.

1.3 Passengers are cleared according to a dual channel system in Riga airport. However, when choosing a green line a passenger may be selected for random examination. A written declaration is required only from passengers whose cabin-carried articles or baggage include:

• articles prohibited from being taken in or out of the Republic of Latvia, or articles for which a particular permit is required;
• articles that are subject to customs.

1.4 For a single person a limit has been set for importation of certain articles. Goods exceeding the permitted limit are subject to sale tax and a declaration regarding these goods is to be filled in. Importation of the goods exceeding the limit is possible through Riga airport. It is possible through other airports only in case the sale tax has been paid beforehand.

2. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

2.1 A passenger arriving to or departing from the Republic of Latvia shall have a valid passport. 2.2. A passenger arriving to the Republic of Latvia shall have a Latvian visa.

12.3. A passenger who continues the journey to third country shall have a Latvian transit visa. Airport transit visas are required from the citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

2.4. No visas are required from:

2.4.1. Latvian citizens and non-citizens.

2.4.2. the foreign persons who have a valid temporary or permanent residence permit of Latvia;

2.4.3. the citizens of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Vatican City State (the length of stay is determined in interstate agreements);

2.4.4. the persons, who use the passport of the United Nations and the passport of the European Commission as a travel document;

2.4.5. the citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Africa, South Korea, if they hold a valid Estonian or Lithuanian visa or residence permit;

2.4.6 the seamen, who can produce a valid identity seaman document or national passport and excerpt of the crew list or call telegram for the seaman.

2.5. An aircraft from any foreign state may land at Riga airport in case the persons aboard have received visas to visit the Republic of Latvia beforehand. The citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Uruguay, Venezuela may receive an entry visa of the Republic of Latvia valid up to 10 days while crossing the border control point of the Republic of Latvia in the international airport "Riga" and without invitation if they have a valid passport (the term of validity of the passport exceeds the term of the requested visa for at least two months and it contains at least two blank pages ).

2.6. A state duty for issuing visa and connected with it services is collected according to the order and in the amount designated by legal acts of the Republic of Latvia. The rates of state duties (in lats - LVL) for issuance of visas at the airport "Riga" are following:

• private single entry visa: 12
• double private entry visa: 20
• transit visa for a single crossing of Latvia's territory: 6
• transit visa for a double crossing of Latvia's territory: 8
• group visa (for each person): 6.

2.7. The fee is not paid for issuance of diplomatic visa, service (official) visa and emergency visa and in cases prescribed by international agreements binding to the Republic of Latvia.

2.8. Foreign aircraft are allowed to land at other Latvian airports only in case the persons aboard have received visas to visit the Republic of Latvia beforehand.

2.9. Crew members serving an board an arriving or departing aircraft do not need a passport or a visa in case they do not intend to leave the airport They shall however, possess a crew member certificate or license issued by the aviation authorities of their home country.

If crew members intend to leave the airport they shall have a valid passport and the visa.

2.10. Persons aboard any foreign aircraft that has landed in the territory of the Republic of Latvia are obligated to go through the border control only in case they intend to leave the airport and the procedures will be the same as passengers procedures.

3. PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Public health requirements are prescribed by "The Regulations of Vaccination", the Cabinet of the Republic of Latvia NR. 24, 18.01.2000.

3.1 Vaccination against yellow fever is obligatory for all aircraft crew members carrying out flights to an infected areas or countries. The list of areas and countries infected with yellow fever is prescribed by World Health Organization.