Daugavpils International Airport

The closure was a direct consequence of major geopolitical changes. Its primary function as a Soviet military airbase became obsolete with the end of the Cold War and Latvia regaining its independence. After the Russian military departed, the site was not converted for civilian use due to economic reasons. The extensive cost required to upgrade the aging, purpose-built military infrastructure to meet modern civilian aviation standards was, and continues to be, prohibitively high without significant state or private investment.

The site is currently an abandoned and derelict brownfield area. The original infrastructure, including a 2500 x 46 meter concrete runway, taxiways, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters, remains physically present but is in a state of advanced decay and is completely unusable for aviation. The land is owned by the Daugavpils city municipality. The unfenced and unmaintained area has become a popular destination for urban explorers, photographers, and for informal local activities such as unsanctioned car races.

Historically, the site was known as Lociki Air Base (or Līksna Air Base) and was a key strategic airfield for the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) during the Cold War. Constructed in the 1950s, it was home to the 372nd Fighter-Interceptor Aviation Regiment (372 IAP). This regiment was tasked with defending the western airspace of the USSR. Over its history, the base hosted various advanced interceptor aircraft, notably the Sukhoi Su-15 'Flagon' and later the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 'Flogger'. It never operated as a civilian or commercial airport; the name 'Daugavpils International Airport' is the title of the modern, post-Soviet redevelopment project.

There have been numerous and persistent plans to redevelop the former airbase into a modern regional airport for both passenger and cargo traffic. The project aims to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the Latgale region, the easternmost part of Latvia. A municipal company, 'Daugavpils lidosta' SIA, was established to manage the project, and multiple feasibility studies have been conducted over the last two decades. However, progress has consistently stalled due to a failure to secure the necessary funding, estimated to be in the tens of millions of euros. In the early 2020s, discussions were revived, with proponents highlighting the potential dual-use (civilian and military/NATO) strategic importance of the airport, especially given the current geopolitical climate. Despite renewed political interest, the project's future remains uncertain and is entirely dependent on securing substantial state or private investment to fund the complete reconstruction of the facility. The proposed ICAO code for the new airport is EVDA.