Latvia's national airline, airBaltic, has reported that it will cost the state 402,250 euros to cover four repatriation flights from Dubai to Riga. The invoice submitted to the Foreign Ministry also includes passenger co-payments totaling 197,750 euros, which equals 350 euros per passenger for the 565 passengers involved. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to repatriate Latvian citizens stranded abroad due to unexpected circumstances, particularly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a recent emergency meeting held on March 5, the Latvian government decided to allocate up to 752,000 euros for the repatriation of its citizens from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and discussed the possibility of providing additional flights if necessary, while ensuring not to exceed the total funding amount set for these efforts. The government's focus is on assisting those most in need, including families with children, minors, individuals with health and mobility challenges, pregnant women, and seniors.

This move demonstrates the Latvian government's commitment to its citizens during the ongoing global crisis, ensuring they can return home safely. It also highlights the significant financial investment being made to facilitate these repatriations, which underscores the importance of maintaining connectivity and support for citizens abroad during challenging times.