Rumbula Air Base

Military withdrawal and political change. The air base was operated by the Soviet Air Defence Forces. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, all former Soviet/Russian military forces were required to withdraw. The process was completed by August 31, 1994, at which point the air base was handed over to Latvian authorities. The newly independent Latvian National Armed Forces had no operational need for a large fighter base of this scale, leading to its abandonment and subsequent repurposing.

The site is no longer used for aviation. The vast concrete runway, taxiways, and hardstands, though heavily weathered and decaying, are still largely visible. The former air base has been repurposed for various civilian activities. A significant portion of the grounds is occupied by the 'Rumbulas Auto Tirgus', one of the largest open-air used car markets in the Baltic states. The long, straight sections of the old runway are frequently used for legal and illegal street racing, drag racing events, driver training, and car shows. Some of the former military buildings have been demolished, while others have been adapted for light industrial use, storage, and small businesses. The area remains a mix of decaying Cold War infrastructure and modern commercial activity.

Rumbula Air Base was a key strategic military airfield during the Cold War. Constructed by the Soviet Union after World War II, its primary mission was to provide air defense for the city of Riga and the surrounding Baltic Military District. It was a front-line base for the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO). Throughout its history, it hosted several fighter aviation regiments. The most notable unit based here for a long period was the 689th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. The base saw a progression of Soviet interceptor aircraft, including the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17, MiG-19, Yakovlev Yak-25, and the Sukhoi Su-9, Su-15 'Flagon', and finally the advanced Su-27 'Flanker' in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its location made it a critical component of the USSR's western air defense network. It is also important to note that the area itself, Rumbula Forest, holds a much darker historical significance. Adjacent to the airfield is the Rumbula Memorial, marking the site of the Rumbula massacre of November and December 1941, where approximately 25,000 Jews were murdered by the Nazi Einsatzgruppe A with the assistance of Latvian collaborators. While this event predates the construction of the Soviet air base, it is an integral part of the location's history.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Rumbula Air Base as a functioning airport. Several factors make this highly unlikely:
1. **Proximity to RIX:** Riga is well-served by Riga International Airport (RIX), which has undergone significant modernization and expansion and can handle all of the region's current and projected air traffic needs.
2. **Deteriorated Infrastructure:** The runway, taxiways, and other essential airport infrastructure have been abandoned for three decades and are in a severe state of disrepair. The cost of restoration to meet modern aviation standards would be prohibitive.
3. **Current Land Use:** The site is now a patchwork of commercial enterprises, most notably the large car market. Reacquiring the land and relocating these businesses would be complex and expensive.
4. **Environmental Concerns:** Decades of military aviation activity may have left soil and groundwater contamination that would require costly remediation before any major redevelopment.