Latvia draws up air threat plans for passenger carriers

Latvia has drawn up response guidelines for passenger carriers facing possible air threats, after a drone in Lithuania near the Latvian border triggered an orange alert and disrupted train services on Sunday, LSM reported.

Residents of the Bauska, Aizkraukle and Ogre municipalities received the alert by cell broadcast on October 18. Eleven train services were affected, according to passenger rail operator Vivi.

A passenger travelling from Daugavpils to Riga said the train stopped near Aizkraukle at about 7:45 a.m., shortly after passengers received an alert about a threat in the airspace. Some passengers became nervous and expressed anger over possible delays to their plans, she said. The train resumed its journey after standing for about half an hour, once the threat had ended.

Vivi representative Sigita Paula said train staff followed procedures developed this summer. They are to follow instructions from the responsible authorities, inform passengers during a yellow alert and be ready to change plans. During an orange alert, trains should, if possible, leave the threatened zone within 20 minutes, reduce speed and proceed to the nearest safe place, such as a station, while keeping passengers informed.

Bus operators are also required to follow the announced alert level and guidelines set by the Crisis Management Centre. The Transport Ministry, the Road Transport Directorate and transport companies have been working to improve the guidance.