Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Riga Airport has completed two test flights transporting 240 young cattle from Estonia to Tashkent, establishing a new air freight route for livestock exports to Central Asia. The flights confirmed the readiness of airport infrastructure and relevant services to handle live animal shipments, with further flights scheduled for early November 2026, the airport said.
The trial shipments tested coordination between government agencies and private companies involved in livestock exports, as well as upgraded facilities at the AG Handling cargo terminal.
A newly constructed livestock loading facility underwent testing to ensure compliance with veterinary requirements, animal welfare standards and industry practices. The airport also verified its procedures for transporting live animals.
Preparations for the project began in spring 2026 after representatives of Estonia's cattle breeding industry expressed interest in exporting livestock to Central Asian countries through Riga.
Demand for cattle remains strong in the region amid plans to restore and expand livestock populations and develop animal husbandry.
Launching the new route required Latvia to amend government regulations to formally designate Riga Airport as an authorised departure point for live farm animals. The airport's cargo terminal infrastructure was also upgraded to accommodate livestock shipments.
The project involved Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service, the Customs Administration of the State Revenue Service, airline Fly Khiva, cargo terminal operator AG Handling and freight agent Rava Cargo.
Organisers also examined the experience of other European airports handling live cattle exports.
Elina Šimiņa-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary at Latvia's Ministry of Transport, said the new service would allow Riga Airport to diversify its cargo operations and strengthen its competitiveness.
She said the project demonstrated that a complex initiative could be implemented within a short period through cooperation among the participating organisations and the rapid development of the necessary infrastructure.
Normunds Šmits, Parliamentary Secretary at Latvia's Ministry of Agriculture, described the opening of the export channel as an important development for the country's agricultural sector.
He said the initiative would create additional opportunities for Latvian farmers to enter international markets while strengthening Latvia's position as a logistics hub in the Baltic region.
According to Šmits, the project also demonstrated how cooperation between public institutions and private businesses could support economic development, improve transport efficiency and enhance animal welfare conditions.
The new air freight service is intended to reduce the time livestock spend in ground transportation and provide shorter delivery routes to Central Asian countries.
The need for an alternative logistics channel has emerged as cattle exports from the Baltic states to Central Asia have become more difficult in recent years following the closure of overland transit routes through Russia.
Using other European airports has increased overall delivery times, making a direct export route through Riga a potential alternative for livestock producers.
Although the project was initially developed in response to requests from Estonian cattle breeders, Latvian farmers also expressed interest during its implementation.
As a result, authorisation was obtained to operate flights carrying cattle raised in Latvia.
Further use of the route is expected to improve logistics efficiency for livestock exports from the Baltic states to Central Asia.
The next flights are scheduled for early November 2026.
