RAF-Avia
Latvian regional airline providing cargo, charter, wet-lease, and related aviation services.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
RAF-Avia is a Latvian airline headquartered in Riga and based at Riga International Airport. The company originated in 1990 in connection with the Riga Autobus Factory, commonly known by its Latvian initials RAF. Its initial purpose was industrial rather than passenger-oriented: the airline was created to transport parts and manufacturing materials for the bus factory, which acquired at least four aircraft for that purpose. Operations began in 1991. During the 1990s, RAF-Avia broadened its role beyond factory logistics. In 1994 it entered the commercial charter market, developing an operating model centered on flexible aircraft deployment rather than a large scheduled passenger network. In 1996 the business became a private limited company. It is wholly owned by the RAF-Avia group. The airline's activities include cargo transportation, passenger charter operations, aircraft wet-lease and ad hoc charter work, and transport performed for institutional customers. Its cargo work has included services for TNT, DHL, and other customers. RAF-Avia has also provided aviation transport for military and United Nations operations. This mix gives the company a regional and specialist profile: it serves logistical and charter requirements that may not fit the operating model of large scheduled airlines. RAF-Avia has periodically considered expanding into regular passenger services. In late 2015 it announced that it was evaluating the introduction of scheduled passenger flights in 2016, although the reference material does not establish that a sustained scheduled network resulted. In August 2016, the airline stationed two aircraft at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport for ad hoc charter flights, illustrating its willingness to position aircraft outside Latvia when contract demand required it. The company's operating history has also included several documented aircraft incidents. In October 2014, an An-26 lost communication with air traffic controllers over southern England and was escorted to Stansted Airport by Royal Air Force fighter aircraft. In January 2019, a Saab 340B skidded off the runway at Savonlinna during landing in snowy conditions; there were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained damage. In April 2021, an An-26 operating from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg made a safe emergency landing at Pulkovo Airport after a left-engine failure. In February 2024, a Saab 340A operating for Aeroitalia under a wet-lease arrangement returned safely to Rome after a left-engine failure during the initial climb. The supplied sources report no fatalities in these events. RAF-Avia is therefore best understood as a Latvian specialist airline whose business has developed from industrial supply flying into a broader combination of cargo, charter, wet-lease, and institutional aviation services. Publicly supplied material does not provide a confirmed founder, a current executive roster, financial figures, or a verified corporate website.
History
RAF-Avia was established in 1990 to support the Riga Autobus Factory, a Latvian bus manufacturer whose operations required the movement of parts and manufacturing materials. The airline's original role was consequently an industrial logistics function. The factory acquired at least four aircraft for this purpose, and RAF-Avia began operating in 1991. The company later expanded into commercial aviation. In 1994 it moved into the passenger charter sector, adding a more market-facing activity to its industrial transport work. Rather than immediately building a broad scheduled route network, RAF-Avia developed around flexible operations, including charter flying, cargo transport, and specialist assignments. In 1996 it was reorganized as a private limited company and became wholly owned by the RAF-Avia group. Cargo became an important part of the airline's activity. RAF-Avia has operated cargo services for TNT, DHL, and other customers, while also undertaking transport connected with military and United Nations requirements. Passenger charter work remained part of the company's portfolio. The airline's operating model has allowed it to position aircraft where contracts arise, including at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, where two aircraft were based in August 2016 for ad hoc charter flights. In late 2015 RAF-Avia said it was considering the introduction of regular passenger flights in 2016. The available reference material does not confirm that this proposal developed into a lasting scheduled operation, so the company is more reliably characterized as a charter, cargo, and specialist regional operator than as a conventional network airline. Several operational incidents are recorded in the airline's history. On 29 October 2014, an An-26 lost communication with air traffic controllers over southern England and was escorted by Royal Air Force fighters to Stansted Airport. On 7 January 2019, Saab 340B YL-RAF skidded off the runway during landing at Savonlinna in snowy conditions. The aircraft was not reported to have caused injuries, but damage occurred to its propellers, landing lights, and tyres. On 26 April 2021, an An-26 operating between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg made a safe emergency landing at Pulkovo Airport after a left-engine failure. On 6 February 2024, Saab 340A YL-RAL, then operating for Aeroitalia under a wet-lease arrangement, returned safely to Rome Fiumicino after a left-engine failure during the initial climb. RAF-Avia's documented development is thus a progression from factory-support flying to a diversified aviation-services business. Its main capabilities include cargo carriage, passenger charter, ad hoc operations, wet-lease flying, and transport for institutional customers. The supplied sources do not identify individual founders or executives, disclose financial performance, or provide a verified current corporate website.
- 2024
Wet-leased Saab returns to Rome after engine failure
[1]A Saab 340A operating for Aeroitalia returned safely to Rome after a left-engine failure during climb.
- 2021
An-26 emergency landing at Pulkovo
[1]An An-26 made a safe emergency landing after a left-engine failure during a Helsinki–Saint Petersburg flight.
- 2019
Saab 340B runway excursion
[1]A Saab 340B skidded off the runway at Savonlinna during a snowy landing; no injuries were reported.
- 2016
Aircraft stationed at Frankfurt-Hahn
[1]Two aircraft were placed at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport for ad hoc charter work.
- 2015
Regular passenger operation considered
[1]RAF-Avia announced that it was evaluating regular passenger flights for 2016.
- 2014
An-26 communication-loss incident
[1]An RAF-Avia An-26 was escorted to Stansted after communication with air traffic control was lost over southern England.
- 1996
Conversion to a private limited company
[1]The airline became a private limited company and was described as wholly owned by the RAF-Avia group.
- 1994
Entry into commercial charter flying
[1]RAF-Avia expanded from industrial transport into the commercial passenger charter sector.
- 1991
Operations begin
[1]The airline commenced operations using aircraft acquired in connection with the factory-support mission.
- 1990
Airline established for Riga Autobus Factory logistics
[1]RAF-Avia was created to carry parts and manufacturing materials for the Riga Autobus Factory.
Products and positioning
Specialist regional aviation provider combining cargo, charter, wet-lease, and institutional transport services.
Air cargo
Cargo air transport
RAF-Avia provides regional and international cargo flying for logistics customers. The airline has been associated with cargo work for TNT, DHL, and other clients, making freight transport one of its central operating activities.
Passenger aviation · 1994
Passenger charter services
The airline entered the commercial charter market in 1994. Charter operations allow RAF-Avia to provide passenger capacity for contracted or ad hoc requirements without operating a large, fixed scheduled network.
Aviation services
Wet-lease and aircraft operating services
RAF-Avia has operated aircraft for other airlines under wet-lease arrangements, including a Saab 340A operated for Aeroitalia in 2024. Such arrangements combine aircraft, crew, maintenance, and operational support supplied by the operating carrier.
Special mission aviation
Institutional and specialist transport
Beyond commercial cargo and passenger work, RAF-Avia has provided transport for military and United Nations operations. These assignments reflect the airline's broader role as a flexible regional aviation contractor.
Brand decisions
2016
Position aircraft at Frankfurt-Hahn for ad hoc chartersStrategyBackground
The airline sought to serve charter demand outside its Latvian base.
Action taken
Two aircraft were stationed at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport to operate ad hoc charter flights.
Aftermath
The deployment demonstrated RAF-Avia's contract-led and geographically flexible operating model.
2015
Evaluate regular passenger flightsStrategyBackground
RAF-Avia had experience in charter and cargo operations and announced that it was considering a move into regular passenger services.
Action taken
The airline said it was evaluating the launch of scheduled passenger flights in 2016.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not confirm that a sustained scheduled passenger network was launched.
Sources1 sources
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