Airport type Public 13/31 2,500 8,202 Concrete Phone +371 20 202 165 | Elevation AMSL 233 ft / 71 m 2,500 8,202 Elevation 71 m | |
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Address Smārdes pagasts Engures novads, Smārde parish, LV-3129, Latvia Similar Riga Internatio Airport, Tukuma autoosta, Tinika - SIA, Baltic Taxi, Spilve Airport Profiles | ||
Jūrmala Airport (ICAO: EVJA) is an airport located 5 km (3 mi) in the Engure parish, Latvia, southeast of Tukums.
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All of the airport's technical infrastructure, runway and buildings are what was left of the former Soviet military Tukums air base, which was a spartan military airfield with a single long ramp and reveted area. The base was completely abandoned, but in 2010 the conversion of the base to a civil airport with passenger terminals started.
History
The aviation history in the area starts in early 1930s, when the first hangar and workshop were constructed. During World War II an airfield was built for German Luftwaffe.
After the war it was operated by the Soviet Navy, flying Su-24 (Fencer) aircraft operated by 668 MShAP (668 мшап, 668th Naval Shturmovik Aviation Regiment) . Another source gives 240 MShAP (240th Naval Shturmovik Aviation Regiment).
In the spring of 1993 the airfield was recognized as Reserve Airfield of Tukums (RAT) of the Latvian Air Forces. Since July 31, 2001 the Tukums airfield belonged to Smārde parish. On March 15, 2005 Tukums Airport Ltd. was established. In 2005–2006 renovation of the runway and in 2009–2010 construction of the passenger terminal has started. In 2011 ILS and VOR/DME installation and light-signal system certification has been completed.