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{{Short description|Flag carrier of Latvia}}{{Lowercase title|title=airBaltic}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

factoids

| secondary_hubs =

• Tallinn Airport
• Vilnius Airport
• Tampere Airport
• Gran Canaria Airport| focus_cities = | frequent_flyer = airBaltic Club| fleet_size = 46

WEBSITE=CH-AVIATION.COM, 21 November 2023, | parent = Government of Latvia| num_employees = {{gain}} 2,531 (2023)Mārupe municipality, Latvia}}CEO)SINGAPORE: AIRBALTIC CEO: PW1500G SPARE ENGINE SUPPLY FOR CS300 IMPROVEDLAST= FLOTTAUAIR TRANSPORT WORLD>DATE= 6 FEBRUARY 2018ARCHIVE-URL= HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20180206185657/HTTP://ATWONLINE.COM/ENGINES/SINGAPORE-AIRBALTIC-CEO-PW1500G-SPARE-ENGINE-SUPPLY-CS300-IMPROVED, 6 February 2018, Euro>€668 million (2023)| operating_income = {{increase}} €80 million (2023)| net_income = {{increase}} €33.65 million (2023)| assets = {{increase}} €1,325 million (2023)| equity = {{increase}} €-48.3 million (2023)airbaltic.com}}}}airBaltic, legally incorporated as AS Air Baltic Corporation, is the flag carrier of Latvia, with its head office on the grounds of Riga International Airport in Mārupe municipality near Riga.NEWS,weblink New Headquarters and Crew Centre for airBaltic, airBaltic, 6 April 2016, 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 97% owned by the Government of Latvia. It operates flights solely on Airbus A220 planes. It operates a frequent-flyer program and a buy on board menu offering food and drinks for purchase.

History

Early history

File:Air Baltic Avro RJ70 Jonsson.jpg|thumb|A former airBaltic Avro RJ70 in historic livery, which was retired in 2005]](File:AirBaltic Boeing 757-200 at RIX.jpg|thumb|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|thumb|The airline's hub, Riga International AirportRiga International Airport(File:Check-In at Riga Airport.jpg|thumb|airBaltic check-in area at Riga International Airport)File:AirBaltic Bombardier CS300 mainenance (33093274391).jpg|thumb|The cabin of an airBaltic Airbus A220Airbus A220Baltic 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 AirBaltic aircraft, a Saab 340, in Riga, and that afternoon, the plane made the first passenger flight for AirBaltic.WEB,weblink Company history, Airbaltic.com, 2013-04-20, 1 June 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130601121148weblink">weblink dead, 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}In 1999, airBaltic 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 WEB,weblink Dress Code, AirBaltic, 2022-08-02, and opening a cargo centre at Riga's airport.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}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.NEWS,weblink Company history, airBaltic, 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.NEWS,weblink Air Baltic Returns Final Dash 8-Q400, Lee, Cross, Airways, 1 February 2023, 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.WEB,weblink airBaltic to open Tallinn base | Easier, www.easier.com, 21 December 2022, The majority of the routes commenced from Tallinn were cancelled shortly after opening, leading to complaints from the Estonian Consumer Protection Department.WEB,weblink Estonians warned to be careful with airBaltic, 15 October 2010, Baltic News Network, 2013-04-20, 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.WEB,weblink Changes in airBaltic shareholders structure, 16 December 2010, Baltic News Network, 2013-04-20,

Development since 2010

In August 2011, AirBaltic requested more than 60 million lats in capital as its losses continued to mount,WEB,weblink AirBaltic in need of massive investment as losses mount, The Baltic Times, 2011-08-19, 2013-04-20, dmy-all, and suffered speculation about its financial positionWEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink Antonov: airBaltic will continue its business, Balticbusinessnews.com, 2011-06-27, 2013-04-20, dmy-all, 1 July 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110701094116weblink">weblink dead, WEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink Tallinn Airport: airBaltic owes us money, Balticbusinessnews.com, 2011-09-14, 2013-04-20, WEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink Bookinghouse stops selling tickets to airBaltic flights, Balticbusinessnews.com, 2011-06-28, 2013-04-20, WEB,weblink airBaltic starts cancelling flights, The Baltic Times, 2011-09-13, 2013-04-20, dmy-all, and political scandals throughout 2011.WEB,weblink Former Latvian president unleashed on the head of airBaltic corruption fighters, Bakutoday.net, 2013-04-20,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120325211517weblink">weblink 2012-03-25, dmy-all, WEB,weblink Suspected illegal activity haunts airBaltic, The Baltic Times, 2011-09-14, 2013-04-20, dmy-all, 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.WEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink airBaltic starts massive layoffs, Balticbusinessnews.com, 2011-09-16, 2013-04-20, dmy-all, 16 September 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110916205618weblink">weblink dead, WEB,weblink Update: AirBaltic cancels flights through December, Intelliguide.com, dmy-all, 2013-04-20, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120402132950weblink">weblink 2 April 2012, The company also announced that a mystery investor was willing to pay 9.6 million euros for an additional 59,110 shares.WEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink Breaking news: airBaltic sells shares, cancels flights, Balticbusinessnews.com, 2011-09-13, 2013-04-20, 16 September 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110916200328weblink">weblink dead, 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.WEB, Alla Petrova,weblink Agreement officially signed on bail out of airBaltic, The Baltic Course, dmy-all, 2012-10-17, 2013-04-20, WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150403113721weblink">weblink dead, Philippine news, weather, world news, 3 April 2015, MSN Philippines News, 21 December 2022, As part of the agreement its longtime president and CEO stepped down and Martin Gauss, former CEO of Hungarian airline Malév, became the new CEO.WEB, Toomas Hõbemägi,weblink Martin Gauss confirmed as new CEO of airBaltic, Balticbusinessnews.com, dmy-all, 2011-10-24, 2013-04-20, 14 May 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120514103015weblink">weblink dead, AirBaltic had made an announcement on 23 September 2010 that it would establish a new secondary hub at Oulu Airport.WEB,weblink Air Baltic Setting up Oulu Hub, 23 September 2010, 23 September 2010, YLE News, Yleisradio Oy, Helsinki,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100926115642weblink">weblink 26 September 2010, live, WEB,weblink airBaltic to Open a New Hub in Oulu, Finland, 23 September 2010, 23 September 2010, A/S Air Baltic Corporation, Riga,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100924202142weblink">weblink 24 September 2010, dead, In early 2012, it was confirmed that Oulu hub plans were cancelled due to financial issues.WEB,weblink Air Balticin solmusuunnitelma kuivui kasaan, 23 March 2012, YLE uutiset, 5 February 2012, fi, 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.WEB,weblink airBaltic ahead of schedule to reach profitability in 2014, Centre for Aviation, NEWS,weblink AirBaltic 2012 Loss Beats Plan on Reduced Fleet Size, Christmas, Bloomberg.com, 19 April 2013, Bloomberg, 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,WEB,weblink airBaltic's future uncertain after Krajbanka's collapse, 21 December 2022, 3 December 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20111203050303weblink">weblink dead, WEB,weblink Latvian government takes over airBaltic, 21 December 2022, 5 December 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20111205103420weblink">weblink dead, 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 modernisation.WEB,weblink German investor for airBaltic, The Baltic Course, WEB,weblink New investor completes airBaltic buy-in | Aviation Week Network, aviationweek.com, 21 December 2022, Following the closure of Air Lituanica and Estonian Air respectively in June and November 2015, it is alongside Nordica, one of two flag carriers 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.WEB,weblink Latvia's airBaltic will gradually renew fleet with Bombardier CS300 aircraft (Dec 2, 2016), The Baltic Course, 3 December 2016, 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.NEWS,weblink AirBaltic eyes order for at least 14 jets, 5 June 2017, Reuters, 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.NEWS,weblink Bombardier Nears $1.25 Billion C Series Deal With Air Baltic, Bloomberg.com, 27 September 2017, www.bloomberg.com, 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.WEB,weblink Media - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com, 13 August 2018, NEWS, Commission official: airBaltic likely to find investor soon,weblink 30 May 2018, Public Broadcasting of Latvia, LETA, 30 May 2018, 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,NEWS, AirBaltic temporarily suspends all flights from March 17,weblink 16 March 2020, Eesti Rahvusringhääling, Baltic News Service, 16 March 2020, and flights only restarted on a limited basis from 18 May 2020.WEB,weblink airBaltic restarts flights from Riga to Tallinn and Vilnius, 14 May 2020, AirBaltic, 12 July 2020, 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.WEB,weblink airBaltic opens a new base in Tampere, 14 Dec 2021, AirBaltic, 14 December 2021, 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.NEWS, Harper, Lewis, Air Baltic to open winter base in Gran Canaria,weblink Flight Global, 14 June 2023, en, AirBaltic began wet leasing it's aircraft to other carriers in 2022, predominantly to SWISS.WEB,weblink SWISS To Wet Lease Up To 6 airBaltic Airbus A220s This Winter, 6 August 2022, In 2023, it has been approved for "long-term and unlimited wet leasing within the Lufthansa Group."WEB, 5 March 2024, "airBaltic Sustainability and Annual Report 2023 ENG",weblink 7 March 2024, AirBaltic, As of December 2023 AirBaltic currently operates certain flights for SWISS.WEB, Swiss International Air Lines,weblink {{full citation needed|date=January 2024}}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.airBaltic Club loyalty programmeWEB, an innovative loyalty experience, airBaltic,weblink 7 March 2024, 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.WEB, 2023-01-10, airBaltic To Introduce Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Across Entire Fleet,weblink 2023-02-06, Travel Spill, en-US, NEWS, AirBaltic to equip entire fleet with SpaceX's Starlink,weblink 15 January 2023, Zawya, 12 January 2023, Installation of the service commenced in 2023 and will be finalised by 2025.In November 2023, AirBaltic announced that Delta Airlines would begin codesharing 20 routes to their bases.WEB, Hemmerdinger2023-07-27T17:24:00+01:00, Jon, US government approves Delta-Air Baltic codeshare deal,weblink 2023-12-20, Flight Global, en,

Corporate affairs

The current head office at Riga Airport opened in 2016.WEB,weblink New Headquarters and Crew Centre for airBaltic, AirBaltic, 2016-04-06, 2021-03-07,

Ownership

airBaltic is a joint-stock company, with current shareholders (as of December 2023):WEB, Basic company information (in Latvian),weblink WEB, Basic company information (in English),weblink {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"! style="background: #cdda32;" | Shareholders! style="background: #cdda32;" | InterestLatvia>State of the Republic of Latvia (represented by the Ministry of Transport (Latvia))>{{0}}97.97%{{0}}2.03%{{0}}0.000084%Total>100%

Financials

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):{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"! style="background: #cdda32;" |! Turnover(€m)! Net profit(€m)! Number ofemployees{{Efn|at year end|name=at year end}}! Number ofpassengers (m)! Passengerload factor (%)! Number ofaircraft{{Efn||name=at year end}}!Refs2008|||| 2.6| 62| 28URL-STATUS=DEAD ARCHIVE-DATE=13 MAY 2011 PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, AIRBALTIC AND SMS >URL=HTTPS://WWW.TRANSPORTSTYRELSEN.SE/GLOBALASSETS/GLOBAL/LUFTFART/SEMINARIER_OCH_INFORMATION/SEMINARIER-2013/AMQM-DAGEN-2013/09-AIRBALTIC-AND-SMS-FRAN-AMQM-2011.PDF PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, 2009| 261| 20|| 2.8| 68| 31ACCESS-DATE=31 MAY 2013 URL-STATUS=DEAD ARCHIVE-DATE=13 MAY 2011 PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, 2010| 292red|−52}}| 1,443| 3.2| 69| 35AIRBALTIC BEATS EXPECTATIONS FOR 2012, IMPROVES RESULT BY LVL +66 MILLION >URL=HTTP://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/PUBLIC/51803.HTML ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20130601115227/HTTP://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/PUBLIC/51803.HTML ACCESS-DATE=31 MAY 2013 URL=HTTPS://WWW.REUTERS.COM/ARTICLE/LATVIA-AIRBALTIC-IDUSL5E7K64VQ20110906 WORK=REUTERS, RESTRUCTURING RIGOUR FROM RIGA: AIRBALTIC NARROWS 2012 NET LOSS >URL=HTTP://CENTREFORAVIATION.COM/ANALYSIS/RESTRUCTURING-RIGOUR-FROM-RIGA-AIRBALTIC-NARROWS-2012-NET-LOSS-106583 PUBLISHER=CAPA CENTRE FOR AVIATION, }}2011| 327red|−121}}|| 3.3| 75| 34|2012| 325red|−27}}| 1,100| 3.1| 72| 28URL-STATUS=DEAD ARCHIVE-DATE=1 JUNE 2013 PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, 16 APRIL 2014 >TITLE=AIRBALTIC PROFITS AND ANNUAL REPORT APPROVED ACCESS-DATE=17 AUGUST 2021, AirBaltic, 2013| 325| 1|| 2.9|| 25|2014| 300| 9|| 2.6| 70| 24ACCESS-DATE=7 APRIL 2015 ACCESS-DATE=17 DECEMBER 2015, AirBaltic, 2015|285|19.5|1,171|2.6|71|24URL-STATUS=BOT: UNKNOWN ARCHIVE-DATE=2016-03-07 PUBLISHER=BLOOMBERG, 12 MAY 2016 >TITLE=AIRBALTIC POSTS €19M PROFIT IN 2015 ACCESS-DATE=28 MAY 2016 AGENCY=ENG.LSM.LV, 2016|286|1.2|1,266|2.9|74|25ACCESS-DATE=15 OCTOBER 2019, AirBaltic, 2017|348|4.6|1,415|3.5|76|30|2018|409|5.4|1,585|4.1|75|34ACCESS-DATE=15 OCTOBER 2019 URL=HTTP://WWW.RUSAVIAINSIDER.COM/AIRBALTIC-SERVED-RECORD-NUMBER-PASSENGERS-2018/ PUBLISHER=RUSSIAN AVIATION INSIDER, 2019|503red|−7.7}}|1,716|5.0|76|39ACCESS-DATE=12 JULY 2020 URL=HTTPS://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/SUSTAINABILITY/IMG/AIRBALTIC_SUSTAINABILITY_AND_ANNUAL_REPORT_2020_ENG.PDF PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, 2020group=financialReclassified}}redgroup=financialReclassified}}|1,195|1.3|52|37PUBLISHER=AIRBALTIC, 2021|202red|−134}}|1,559|1.6|54|44|2022|500red|−54.2}}|2,143|3.3|71|39URL=HTTPS://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/SUSTAINABILITY/IMG/AIRB_REPORT_2022_FIN_PARAKSTITS_FIN.PDF ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230313212204/HTTPS://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/SUSTAINABILITY/IMG/AIRB_REPORT_2022_FIN_PARAKSTITS_FIN.PDF ACCESS-DATE=14 MARCH 2023, AirBaltic, 2023|668|33.7|2,531|4.5|77|46|{{notelist-lg|group=financial}}

Destinations

airBaltic operates direct year-round and seasonal short-haul flights from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, mostly to metropolitan and leisure destinations within Europe. AirBaltic does not operate long-haul flights, but has codeshares with partners in all three airline alliances to allow through-ticketed long-haul flights.WEB, Destinations,weblink airbaltic.com,

Codeshare agreements

airBaltic has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:WEB,weblink airBaltic Codeshare Airlines, www.airbaltic.com, 21 April 2020, {{Div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Aegean Airlines
• Air France
• Austrian Airlines
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• Belavia
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Bulgaria AirNEWS, Nowakowski, Adrian, airBaltic, Bulgaria Air Sign Codeshare Partnership,weblink 16 May 2024, airwaysmag.com, Airways, 15 May 2024,
• Cyprus Airways
• Czech Airlines
• Delta Air LinesWEB,weblink airBaltic and Delta Air Lines announce codeshare agreement, Aerotime Hub, 16 November 2023, 16 November 2023,
• EmiratesNEWS, airBaltic and Emirates announce codeshare agreement,weblink 3 December 2021, 25 November 2021,
• Etihad AirwaysNEWS, Liu, Jim, Etihad / airBaltic expands codeshare partnership in W17,weblink 22 November 2017, Routesonline, 22 November 2017,
• Georgian Airways
• Iberia
• Icelandair
• ITA AirwaysPRESS RELEASE,weblink ITA Airways and airBaltic Announce Codeshare Agreement, ITA Airways, 25 January 2022,
• KLM
• KM Malta Airlines
• LOT Polish Airlines
• LufthansaWEB,weblink Lufthansa and airBaltic begin codeshare relationship,
• Scandinavian AirlinesNEWS, Liu, Jim, airBaltic resumes SAS codeshare partnership from June 2019,weblink 24 May 2019, Routesonline, 24 May 2019,
• TAP Air PortugalNEWS, Liu, Jim, airBaltic / TAP Air Portugal begins codeshare service from June 2018,weblink 14 June 2018, Routesonline, 14 June 2018,
• TAROMNEWS, Liu, Jim, airBaltic / TAROM expands codeshare routes in W17,weblink 23 November 2017, Routesonline, 23 November 2017,
• Turkish AirlinesWEB,weblink THY ve AÄ°RBALTÄ°C ortak uçuÅŸ anlaÅŸması imzaladı,
• Ukraine International Airlines
• Uzbekistan Airways

{{div col end}}

Fleet

File:YL-CSF_LLBG_11-05-2018a.jpg|thumb|An airBaltic Airbus A220-300 ]]

Current fleet

{{As of|2023|12}}, the airBaltic fleet consists of an all Airbus A220 fleet.WEB,weblink Fleet - About Us - airBaltic, www.airbaltic.com, WEB, Orders & Deliveries,weblink Airbus, 31 December 2021, 15 January 2021, 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. The airline is currently the largest A220-300 operator in the world.WEB, 13 November 2023, airBaltic to become largest Airbus A220 customer in Europe,weblink airBaltic, The airline expects to receive its 50th aircraft in late 2024, announcing a contest allowing its frequent flyers to vote on a special livery to mark the occasion.WEB, AirBaltic launches livery design contest for its 50th A220-300 aircraft,weblink 2023-12-20, Business Traveller, en-GB, WEB, Orban, André, 2023-11-27, airBaltic invites to design its 50th aircraft livery,weblink 2023-12-20, Aviation24.be, en-GB, {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"|+ airBaltic fleet style="background:#cdda32;"! Aircraft! In service! Orders! Passengers! NotesAirbus A220-3004734|145Order with 30 options and 20 purchase rights, firmed options in November 2023.HTTPS://WWW.AIRBALTIC.COM/EN/AIRBALTIC-ORDERS-UP-TO-60-AIRCRAFT-FOR-SIGNIFICANT-BREAKTHROUGH-OF-DEVELOPMENT>TITLE=AIRBALTIC ORDERS UP TO 60 AIRCRAFT FOR SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH OF DEVELOPMENTDATE=28 MAY 2016, HTTPS://WWW.CH-AVIATION.COM/PORTAL/NEWS/134045-LATVIAS-AIRBALTIC-FIRMS-30-A220-OPTIONS-SECURES-20-MORE>TITLE=LATVIA'S AIRBALTIC FIRMS 30 A220 OPTIONS, SECURES 20 MOREDATE=13 NOVEMBER 2023, Launch customer of its type.HTTP://WWW.AINONLINE.COM/AVIATION-NEWS/AIR-TRANSPORT/2016-12-14/BOMBARDIERS-CS300-ENTERS-SERVICE-AIR-BALTIC>TITLE=BOMBARDIER'S CS300 ENTERS SERVICE WITH AIR BALTICDATE=14 DECEMBER 2016TITLE=PICTURES: AIR BALTIC RECEIVES FIRST AIRBUS A220-BRANDED JETWORK=FLIGHT GLOBALBaltic states livery (2 — Latvia, 1 — Estonia and 1 — Lithuania).HTTPS://WWW.AEROTELEGRAPH.COM/EN/AIR-BALTIC-A220-WEARS-LITHUANIAN-COLORSDATE=8 AUGUST 2019Aircraft lease#Wet lease>wet leased, of which eight operated for Swiss International Air Lines.22 WET-LEASE-FLIEGER SIND IM SOMMER FüR SWISS UNTERWEGS ACCESS-DATE=29 APRIL 2023 DATE=6 MARCH 2023 ACCESS-DATE=29 APRIL 2023 DATE=29 MARCH 2023, TITLE=AIR BALTIC TO RECONFIGURE A220 FLEET WITH INCREASED SEATING CAPACITY ACCESS-DATE=25 FEBRUARY 2022 DATE=24 FEBRUARY 2022, en, !Total!47!34!!

Historical fleet

File:YL-BAR (15109005920).jpg|thumb|Former airBaltic Fokker 50Fokker 50File:Air Baltic, YL-BBW, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (35634250906).jpg|thumb|Former airBaltic Bombardier Dash 8 Q400Bombardier Dash 8 Q400airBaltic formerly also operated the following types of aircraft:WEB,weblink Air Baltic fleet list at planespotters.net, 29 March 2015, WEB,weblink Air Baltic Accelerates Fleet Renewal Plans, 21 December 2022, 24 November 2022,weblink dead, WEB,weblink airBaltic opts to acquire CSeries aircraft as part of turnaround effort, CAPA - Centre for Aviation, 21 December 2022, {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center" !{{font color|black|Aircraft}}!{{font color|black|Total}}!{{font color|black|Introduced}}!{{font color|black|Retired}}!{{font color|black|Replacement}}!{{font color|black|Notes}}|Airbus A319-100|1|2013|2014|None|Leased from Czech Airlines|Avro RJ70|3|1996|2005|None||Boeing 737-300|9|2007|2020Airbus A220-300ACCESS-DATE=2020-06-23LANGUAGE=EN-US, |Boeing 737-500|11|2003|2019||Boeing 757-200|2|2008|2014|None||Bombardier Dash 8 Q400|12|2010|2023|NoneACCESS-DATE=20 FEBRUARY 2023 DATE=15 FEBRUARY 2023, British Aerospace 146>British Aerospace 146-200|1|1995|1996|Avro RJ70|Leased from Manx Airlines|Fokker 50|10|1998|2013|Bombardier Q400||Saab 340|3|1995|1999|Fokker 50|{{clear}}

Livery

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 stabilizer was also painted in lime green, with the tail cone remained white.WEB, airBaltic receives its 21st Airbus A220-300 in the new livery,weblink 2021-03-06, www.baltictimes.com, 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 A220s.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.WEB,weblink airBaltic Celebrates 40th Airbus A220 Delivery With Special Latvian Flag Livery, 12 March 2023, 14 March 2023, {{multiple image }}

Accidents

• A drunk airBaltic crew including a co-pilot at seven times legal alcohol limit 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.WEB, Drunk airBaltic crew included co-pilot at seven times legal alcohol limit, the guardian news article, TheGuardian.com, 18 August 2015,weblink
• 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.WEB,weblink Incident: Baltic DH8D at Riga on Sep 17th 2016, nose gear problems lead to landing without nose gear, avherald.com, 21 December 2022,
• 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.WEB,weblink Incident Boeing 737-53S YL-BBE, 06 Dec 2017, aviation-safety.net, 21 December 2022,
• 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).WEB,weblink airBaltic on flight BT102, www.airbaltic.com, 21 December 2022,
• 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).WEB,weblink airBaltic on flight BT694, www.airbaltic.com, 9 March 2023,

Notes

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References

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External links

{{Commons category-inline|AirBaltic}}

• {{official websiteweblink}}
  • {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/weblink|title=AirBaltic (airbaltic.lv)}}
• Interview With CEO Of airBaltic Martin Gauss

{{Airlines of Latvia}}{{IATA members|europe}}{{A4E}}{{Association of European Airlines}}{{SAS Group}}