Ulf Schenkmanis, one of Latvia’s five honorary consuls in Sweden, died Sept. 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. Schenkmanis, a journalist and writer, was based in Karlstad (Varmland Lan), Sweden.

He was named an honorary consul in February 2003.

Schenkmanis, 70, had recently undergone treatment for cancer, according to the daily newspaper Aftonbladet.

Schenkmanis worked as a radio and television producer for more than 40 years. He also was the author of a series of travel guides. According to the ministry, Schenkmanis was planning the 18th guide in the series to be about Latvia.

Varmland Lan is in west central Sweden.

Latvia’s next ambassador to the United States may be Māris Riekstiņš, replacing Aivis Ronis, whose tour of duty ends this year, according to Latvian media reports. Riekstiņš has served as the state secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1993.

Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks announced his choice Aug. 31. If confirmed by President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Riekstiņš would become Latvia’s fourth ambassador to the United States since the nation regained independence in 1991.

Riekstiņš, 41, is described as one of the foreign ministry’s most experienced diplomats. He has frequently been involved in matters dealing with the United States and its Latvian community, but has never had the role of ambassador.

Educated at the Latvian Sports Institute and the University of Latvia, Riekstiņš joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992 and was named state secretary in August 1993, according to the ministry’s Web site. He has been involved in Latvia’s negotiations to joined the NATO defense alliance and the World Trade Organization, as well as the U.S.-Baltic Charter.

Ronis became ambassador in 2000, replacing Ojārs Kalniņš, who returned to Rīga to head the Latvian Institute. Ronis has been offered the post of ambassador to NATO, according to Latvian media reports.

In addition to Latvia’s embassy in Washington, D.C., honorary consuls serve in California, Connecticut, New York, Ohio and Texas.

British discount airliner easyJet will enter the Baltic market this autumn, commencing flights between Rīga and Schönefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 18, the company has announced. The move follows a similar announcement in July by its competitor, the Irish discount airline Ryanair.

Tickets will be priced starting at EUR 20.49, easyJet said in a press release. Ryanair earlier had announced introductory pricing starting at GBP 3.99 for flights from Rīga to London, but recently has been promoting one-way tickets for just 45 pence, excluding taxes and other fees.

easyJet also announced it will begin flights between Tallinn, Estonia, and Berlin on Oct. 27, and between Tallinn and Stansted Airport in London on Nov. 1.

The flights bring easyJet’s network to a total of 181 routes, the company said.

“These new services from Riga and Tallinn show how serious we are about expanding in the region,” easyJet Chief Executive Ray Webster said in a prepared statement, “and loyal travellers already used to easyJet’s low fares, excellent service and great punctuality will be delighted to know that this is just the beginning.”

The airline was founded in 1995 by Stelios Haji-Ioannou and, according the easyJet’s Web site, the family remains the major shareholder. easyJet shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

Latvia’s national carrier, Air Baltic, also continues expansion. It added a route between Rīga and Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 15. and a route between Rīga and Manchester, England, on Aug. 16, the company announced.

The addition of easyJet will bring to 19 the number of passenger and cargo airlines serving Rīga International Airport.