Template:Short description Template:Lowercase title Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox airline

airBaltic, legally incorporated as AS Air Baltic Corporation, is the flag carrier of Latvia. Its head office are located on the grounds of Riga International Airport in Mārupe municipality near Riga.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Its main hub is Riga, and it operates bases in Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and a seasonal base in Las Palmas launched in 2023. It is majority owned (87.97%) by the government of Latvia. It operates flights only on Airbus A220 aircraft. It operates a frequent-flyer program and a free meal menu offering food and drinks for purchase.

HistoryEdit

Early historyEdit

File:Air Baltic Avro RJ70 Jonsson.jpg
A former airBaltic Avro RJ70 in historic livery, which was retired in 2005
File:AirBaltic Boeing 757-200 at RIX.jpg
An airBaltic Boeing 757-200WL taking off from Riga International Airport, the airline's base, with other aircraft in the fleet in the background (May 2010)
File:Riga Airport 2016.jpg
The airline's hub, Riga International Airport, also houses the corporate head offices.

Baltic International Airlines (BIA) was a Latvian and US joint venture company owned by SIA Baltic International Airlines whose main airport was Riga International Airport. It was founded in June 1992, after the US-based private company Baltic International USA (BIUSA) failed to buy a part of the state-owned Latvian national airline Latavio. In the joint venture, the Latvian government owned 60%, while BIUSA owned 40%. After unsuccessful privatization attempts, Latavio was declared insolvent in October 1995. It was liquidated and the Government of Latvia together with Baltic International Airlines created airBaltic.

The airline was established as Air Baltic on 28 August 1995 with the signing of a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and the Government of Latvia. Operations started on 1 October 1995 with the first Air Baltic aircraft, a Saab 340, in Riga, and that afternoon, the plane made the first passenger flight for Air Baltic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1996, the airline's first Avro RJ70 was delivered; and Air Baltic joined the SAS frequent flier club as a partner. In 1997, a cargo department was established and, in 1998, the airline's first Fokker 50 plane was delivered. The adopted livery was mainly white, with the name of the airline written in blue on the forward fuselage, the 'B' logo being heavily stylized in blue checks. The checker blue pattern was repeated on the aircraft tailfin.Template:Citation needed

In 1999, Air Baltic became a joint stock company; it was previously a limited liability company. All of the Saab 340s were replaced by Fokker 50s. In September, the airline began operating under the European Aviation Operating Standards, or JAR ops. Air Baltic welcomed the new millennium by introducing new uniforms<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and opening a cargo centre at Riga's airport.Template:Citation needed

The first Boeing 737-500 joined the fleet in 2003, and on 1 June 2004, Air Baltic launched services from the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, initially to five destinations. In October 2004, Air Baltic was rebranded as airBaltic. Its present livery consists of an all-white fuselage and lime tailfin. airBaltic.com is displayed on the forward upper fuselage, and the word "Baltic" is repeated in blue on the lower part of the tailfin. In December 2006, the first Boeing 737-300 joined the fleet and was configured with winglets. In July 2007, airBaltic introduced an online check-in system, the first online check-in system in the Baltic states.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the spring of 2008, two long-haul Boeing 757s were added to the fleet. In 2010, the airline began leasing De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft, it retired these aircraft in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

airBaltic had strong links with SAS, which owned 47.2% of the airline, and operated frequent flights to SAS hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. Some of airBaltic's products and services are still shared with SAS, including co-ordinated timetabling and shared airport lounges. airBaltic is not a member of any airline alliance but does have codeshare agreements in place with several Star Alliance member airlines and others.

airBaltic had secondary hubs at Vilnius Airport and Tallinn Airport.<ref name="Opening of base at Tallinn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The majority of the routes commenced from Tallinn were cancelled shortly after opening, leading to complaints from the Estonian Consumer Protection Department.<ref name="Consumer Protection Department Warning re airBaltic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2009, SAS sold its entire stake in the company (47.2% of the airline) to Baltijas aviācijas sistēmas Ltd (BAS) for 14 million lats. BAS was wholly owned by Bertolt Flick (President and CEO) until December 2010, when 50% of BAS shares were transferred to Taurus Asset Management Fund Limited, registered in the Bahamas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Development since 2010Edit

In August 2011, airBaltic requested more than 60 million lats in capital as its losses continued to mount,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and suffered speculation about its financial position<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and political scandals throughout 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In mid September 2011, the company announced plans to lay off around half its employees and cancel around 700 flights a month to avoid possible grounding.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The company also announced that a mystery investor was willing to pay 9.6 million euros for an additional 59,110 shares.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 4 October 2011, the plans were annulled in order to make the necessary investments in the airline's capital. The government of Latvia and BAS agreed to invest around 100 million lats in the airline's share capital in proportion to their stakes in airBaltic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As part of the agreement its longtime president and CEO stepped down and Martin Gauss, former CEO of Hungarian airline Malév Hungarian Airlines, became the new CEO.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

airBaltic had made an announcement on 23 September 2010 that it would establish a new secondary hub at Oulu Airport.<ref name="yle.fi_20100923">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="airbaltic_20100923">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In early 2012, it was confirmed that Oulu hub plans were cancelled due to financial issues.<ref name="oulu-hub-cancelled">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The cost-cutting program, initiated by airBaltic which aimed to return to profitability in 2014, scored better than planned results in 2012, by narrowing its losses to €27.2 million, from €121.5 in 2011.<ref name=2012results>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The state's shareholding had been 99.8% since 30 November 2011, following the collapse of a bank linked with a finance package negotiated for the airline,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but on 6 November 2015, it was reported that the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers had approved plans to sell 20% of airBaltic to German investor Ralf Dieter Montag-Girmes for €52 million and agreed to invest a further €80 million in the airline. The total of €132 million of fresh capital for the carrier is intended to spur its Horizon 2021 business plan and fleet modernization.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following the closure of Air Lituanica and Estonian Air respectively in June and November 2015, and Nordica in November 2024, it is the only flag carrier in the Baltic countries.

The Bombardier CS300 delivery was much anticipated by airBaltic since this new aircraft type was originally planned to replace most of the airline's Boeing 737-300s and Boeing 737-500s and would replace all by 2020. The delivery of the CS300 happened on 29 November 2016, at 2 am ET. On 28 November, Bombardier and airBaltic held a ceremony in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada for the first delivery of the CS300. At 1:30 am, shortly before the scheduled departure, an oil leak from an engine was spotted. It delayed the departure, but at 2:23 am ET, the aircraft was now airBaltic's property. On board the inaugural flight, there were 18 people, including 6 pilots: 3 from Bombardier, and 3 from airBaltic. At 4:13 am ET, after a delay of over 2 hours, flight BT9801 took off en route to Stockholm. The airline received two CS300 in 2016 and expects to receive six in 2017, eight in 2018 and four more in 2020.<ref name="CS300_021216">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

airBaltic was looking for opportunities to replace its Q400 turboprop fleet, and Bombardier and Embraer were viewed as potential future aircraft suppliers, with possible deliveries of 14 new aircraft beginning in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 26 September 2017, airBaltic announced it would buy at least 14 additional CSeries aircraft from Bombardier before the end of 2018; it planned to switch to an all-CSeries fleet by the early 2020s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Additional orders by airBaltic were announced by Bombardier on 28 May 2018 and included 30 CS300 with options and purchase rights for a further 30 CS300.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="LSM-May2018">Template:Cite news</ref> Airbus purchased a 50.01% majority stake in the CSeries program in October 2017, with the deal closing in July 2018; the aircraft family was subsequently renamed the Airbus A220.

airBaltic temporarily suspended operations on 17 March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic,<ref name="ERRflightsuspend">Template:Cite news</ref> and flights only restarted on a limited basis from 18 May 2020.<ref name="Restart">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 14 December 2021, airBaltic announced that its first secondary hub outside of the Baltic countries will be founded in Tampere–Pirkkala Airport in May 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June 2023, airBaltic announced that it would establish a new seasonal base at Gran Canaria Airport, with two aircraft to be stationed there for the forthcoming winter season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

airBaltic began wet leasing its aircraft to other carriers in 2022, predominantly to Swiss.Template:Citation needed In 2023, it was approved for "long-term and unlimited wet leasing within the Lufthansa Group."<ref name="Results2023">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of December 2023, airBaltic currently operates certain flights for Swiss.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Full citation needed</ref>

After the pandemic, airBaltic unveiled a range of upgrades focused on enhancing the experience for its clients. In 2022, airBaltic debuted the Planies NFT collection, offering perks towards the airBaltic Club loyalty program.<ref>airBaltic Club loyalty programme</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Then, in 2023, airBaltic forged a partnership with Starlink to offer unrestricted complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi in their routes, marking a pioneering move in Europe's aviation industry.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Installation of the service commenced in 2023 and will be finalised by 2025.<ref name="Results2023" />

In November 2023, airBaltic announced that Delta Air Lines would begin codesharing 20 routes to their bases.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2025, airBaltic announced that it was facing disruptions due to Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance delays on its A220 fleet. The airline suspended 19 routes, reduced frequencies on 21 others and cancelled 4,670 flights, affecting 67,160 passengers. Despite these challenges and capacity constraints due to the wet-leasing of almost half of its fleet to the Lufthansa Group, airBaltic still maintains over 70 destinations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 29 January 2025, The Ministry of Transport of Latvia, airBaltic, and Lufthansa Group announced the signing of an agreement for Lufthansa Group to invest EUR 14 million in airBaltic for a minority stake, and Supervisory Board seat. In return for its investment, Lufthansa Group will receive a convertible share granting a 10% stake, which will be issued at a subscription price of EUR 14 million and converted into ordinary shares upon a potential IPO of airBaltic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 7 April 2025, Martin Gauss was ousted as CEO due to a lack of trust from the Latvian government. Taking over as interim CEO is former COO Pauls Cālītis,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> who started his career at Air Baltic 30 years ago, also as a pilot.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>Template:Better source needed

Corporate affairsEdit

The current head office at Riga Airport opened in 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

OwnershipEdit

airBaltic is a joint-stock company, with current shareholders (as of December 2023):<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Shareholders Interest
State of the Republic of Latvia (represented by the Ministry of Transport) Template:097.97%
Aircraft Leasing 1 SIA (wholly owned by private investor Lars Thuesen) Template:02.03%
Other Template:00.000084%
Total 100%

FinancialsEdit

The airline's full accounts have not always been published regularly; figures disclosed by airBaltic via various publications are shown below (for years ending 31 December):

Template:Abbrlink Turnover
(€m)
Net profit
(€m)
Number of
employeesTemplate:Efn
Number of
passengers (m)
Passenger
load factor (%)
Number of
aircraftTemplate:Efn
References
2007 21 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2008 2.6 62 28 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="fleet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2009 261 20 2.8 68 31 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="2010 figures">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2010 292 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−52 1,443 3.2 69 35 Template:Nowrap
2011 327 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−121 3.3 75 34 <ref name="2012 results" /><ref name="CAPA2" />
2012 325 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−27 1,100 3.1 72 28 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="2013 results">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2013 325 1 2.9 25 <ref name="2013 results" />
2014 300 9 2.6 70 24 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2015 285 19.5 1,171 2.6 71 24 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2016 286 1.2 1,266 2.9 74 25 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2017 348 4.6 1,415 3.5 76 30 <ref name="Results2017" />
2018 409 5.4 1,585 4.1 75 34 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="Record2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2019 503 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−7.7 1,716 5.0 76 39 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="Results2020">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2020 140Template:Efn-lg Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−278Template:Efn-lg 1,195 1.3 52 37 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2021 202 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−134 1,559 1.6 54 44 <ref name="Results2021" />
2022 500 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−54.2 2,143 3.3 71 39 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2023 668 33.7 2,531 4.5 77 46 <ref name="Results2023" />
2024 747 Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−118.2 2,786 5.1 81 49 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Template:Notelist-lg

DestinationsEdit

airBaltic operates direct year-round and seasonal short-haul flights from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, mostly to metropolitan and leisure destinations within Europe and Middle East. airBaltic does not operate long-haul flights, but has code shares with partners with two airlines, Finnair and Lufthansa, to allow through-ticketed long-haul flights.<ref name="Route">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Here is the full list of destinations to which airBaltic flies:

Country/region City Airport Status Ref.
Albania Tirana Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza Template:Airline seasonal <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Armenia Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Austria Innsbruck Innsbruck Airport Template:Airline seasonal <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Salzburg Salzburg Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Vienna Vienna International Airport
Azerbaijan Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Belgium Brussels Brussels Airport
Bulgaria Sofia Vasil Levski Sofia Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Croatia Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Split Split Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Cyprus Larnaca Larnaca International Airport
Czech Republic Prague Václav Havel Airport Prague
Denmark Billund Billund Airport
Copenhagen Copenhagen Airport
Egypt Hurghada Hurghada International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Estonia Tallinn Tallinn Airport Template:Airline hub
Finland Helsinki Helsinki Airport
Kittilä Kittilä Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Tampere Tampere–Pirkkala Airport Template:Airline focus
Turku Turku Airport
France Nice Nice Côte d'Azur Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Georgia Batumi Batumi International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Tbilisi Tbilisi International Airport
Germany Berlin Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Düsseldorf Düsseldorf Airport
Frankfurt Frankfurt Airport
Hamburg Hamburg Airport
Munich Munich Airport
Greece Athens Athens International Airport
Corfu Corfu International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Heraklion Heraklion International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Mykonos Mykonos Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Rhodes Rhodes International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Airport
Hungary Budapest Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Iceland Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport
Ireland Dublin Dublin Airport
Israel Tel Aviv David Ben Gurion Airport Template:Perhaps <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Italy Catania Catania–Fontanarossa Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Milan Milan Malpensa Airport
Naples Naples International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Olbia Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Pisa Pisa International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Rome Rome Fiumicino Airport
Venice Venice Marco Polo Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Verona Verona Villafranca Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Japan Tokyo Narita International Airport
Kosovo Pristina Pristina International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Latvia Riga Riga International Airport Template:Airline hub
Lithuania Palanga Palanga International Airport
Vilnius Vilnius Airport Template:Airline hub
Malta Valletta Malta International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Moldova Chișinău Chișinău International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Montenegro Tivat Tivat Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Morocco Agadir Agadir–Al Massira Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Marrakesh Marrakesh Menara Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Netherlands Amsterdam Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
North Macedonia Skopje Skopje International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Norway Bergen Bergen Airport, Flesland Template:Airline seasonal
Oslo Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Stavanger Stavanger Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Poland Kraków Kraków John Paul II International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Rzeszów Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Portugal Funchal Madeira Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Lisbon Lisbon Airport
Porto Porto Airport
Romania Bucharest Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport
Cluj-Napoca Cluj International Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Serbia Belgrade Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Slovenia Ljubljana Ljubljana Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Spain Alicante Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
Barcelona Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport
Gran Canaria Gran Canaria Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Madrid Madrid–Barajas Airport
Málaga Málaga Airport
Palma de Mallorca Palma de Mallorca Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Tenerife Tenerife South Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Valencia Valencia Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Sweden Gothenburg Göteborg Landvetter Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Stockholm Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Switzerland Geneva Geneva Airport Template:Airline seasonal
Zurich Zurich Airport
Turkey Istanbul Istanbul Airport
United Arab Emirates Dubai Dubai International Airport
United Kingdom Aberdeen Aberdeen Airport Template:Airline seasonal
London Gatwick Airport

Codeshare agreementsEdit

airBaltic maintains codeshare agreements with the following airlines:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Div col

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Div col end

FleetEdit

Current fleetEdit

File:YL-CSF LLBG 11-05-2018a.jpg
An airBaltic Airbus A220-300 registered as YL-CSF, at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, seen in May 2018

Template:As of, airBaltic operates an all-Airbus A220 fleet composed of the following aircraft:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="AirbusOrd&Del">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

airBaltic fleet
Aircraft Template:Nowrap Orders Passengers Notes
Template:Nowrap 50<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 40<ref name="airbus.com">Template:Cite news</ref> 145 Worldwide launch customer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Order with 30 options and 20 purchase rights, firmed options in November 2023.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Four painted in Baltic states liveries.<ref name="flags">Template:Cite news</ref>
Fourteen aircraft wet leased, of which eight are operated for SWISS.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

149<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Total 50 40

Fleet developmentEdit

airBaltic has announced plans to increase their fleet to 100 by 2030. In November 2023, they have announced an order of 30 new A220-300s. In August 2024, airBaltic placed an order of 10 more new A220-300s, bringing the expected fleet size to 90.<ref name="airbus.com"/> The airline is currently the largest A220-300 operator in the world.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The airline expects to receive its 50th aircraft in February 2025. The 50th A220-300 is going to have registration YL-ABX and special livery as well.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Former fleetEdit

File:YL-BAR (15109005920).jpg
A former airBaltic Fokker 50 in 2012.

In the past, airBaltic has previously operated the following aircraft types:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Font color Template:Font color Template:Font color Template:Font color Template:Font color Template:Font color
Airbus A319-100 1 2013 2014 None Leased from Czech Airlines.
Airbus A320-200 4 2023 2023 None Leased from Avion Express.
Avro RJ70 3 1996 2005 None
Boeing 737-300 9 2007 2020 Airbus A220-300 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Boeing 737-500 11 2003 2019
Boeing 757-200 2 2008 2014 None
British Aerospace 146-200 1 1995 1996 Avro RJ70 Leased from Manx Airlines.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 12 2010 2023 None <ref name="BT_COVID19"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Fokker 50 10 1998 2013 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400
Saab 340 3 1995 1999 Fokker 50

LiveryEdit

The original livery was painted on Avro RJ70s and had a white fuselage. The original airBaltic colour scheme, blue and white, was painted on the engines and the vertical stabiliser. The second generation livery also had a lime green wingtip and vertical stabiliser; however, the logo was changed to airBaltic.com, and the word airBaltic was painted on the engines, which were in their original metallic colour.

Until December 2019, the livery consisted of a white fuselage and lime green vertical stabiliser, wingtips and engines. In December 2019, the rear fuselage below the vertical stabiliser was also painted in lime green, with the tail cone remained white.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The logo, stylised 'airBaltic', is painted in dark blue on the fuselage across the windows and on the underside of the aircraft. This livery is mainly used on A319, A320, A320neo and A220.

Special liveriesEdit

In order to represent the three Baltic states, four of the A220s have been painted in a series of national flag liveries - one each for Estonia and Lithuania, two for Latvia.<ref name=flags/> In the beginning of 2024, airBaltic held a public competition where people could submit their own design for the 50th Airbus A220-300 aircraft received by airBaltic. This design will be unveiled alongside the delivery of the 50th aircraft. Template:Multiple image Another special livery was unveiled for airBaltic's 50th Airbus A220-300. This striking livery portrays an artistic depiction of a girl soaring through the clouds with long, flowing hair crowned by a traditional wreath and proudly featuring the Latvian flag. The design also incorporates several other elements that are inspired by the rich heritage and nature of the Baltic region – a ladybug, a swallow, and a stork. The final sketch of the design was modified and redesigned by airBaltic to meet the technical requirements of the aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

Award and recognitionEdit

On 24 June 2024, airBaltic was voted 2024 Best Airline in Eastern Europe by Skytrax.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Accidents and incidentsEdit

  • A drunk airBaltic crew including a co-pilot at seven times legal alcohol limit was stopped by the police in Oslo before a flight in 2015. The second officer was sentenced to six months' jail while the captain and flight attendants also faced proceedings after a tip-off stopped them from taking charge of flight from Norway.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • On 17 September 2016, an airBaltic de Havilland Dash 8-400, registered YL-BAI, performing flight BT-641, landed at Riga without its nose gear due to problems with the nose gear.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • On 6 December 2017, due to heavy winds and a slippery surface, an airBaltic Boeing 737-500 slid off a taxiway after landing in Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • On 3 December 2021, due to heavy snowfall, an airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (YL-CSE) slid off the runway after the landing at Riga Airport from Stockholm (flight BT102).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • On 9 March 2023, due to heavy snowfall, an airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (YL-AAP) slid off the runway after the landing at Riga Airport from Paris (flight BT694).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

NotesEdit

Template:Notelist

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Commons category-inline

Template:Portal bar Template:Airlines of Latvia Template:IATA members Template:A4E Template:Association of European Airlines Template:SAS Group