- AirBaltic will reduce its fleet from 54 to 36 A220-300s by the end of 2026 .
- The airline has abandoned its previous target of a 100-aircraft fleet by 2030 .
- AirBaltic has cited moderated demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and engine issues as reasons for the change .
- The airline plans to expand its ACMI partnerships to improve year-round aircraft utilisation .
- A revised business plan projects revenue of €1 billion by 2031 .
AirBaltic has announced a major restructuring that will reduce its Airbus A220-300 fleet by one-third by the end of 2026, a significant reversal from its previous growth ambitions. The Latvian carrier, which currently operates 54 A220s, now plans to operate 36 aircraft by year-end, with a gradual increase to 40 aircraft by 2031. The revised business plan abandons the earlier target of a 100-aircraft fleet, which had been developed in preparation for a planned initial public offering.
AirBaltic has cited a materially changed operating environment for this strategic shift, including moderated demand and revenue growth, geopolitical uncertainty from events in Ukraine and the Middle East, and continued Pratt & Whitney engine availability constraints. The restructuring includes a more focused network centred on Riga, with secondary bases providing selected point-to-point services and tactical seasonal flying to improve aircraft utilisation. The airline has also sought €225 million in interim financing to meet near-term liquidity needs, with a permanent recapitalisation package comprising new debt and equity. Scheduled-service available seat kilometres are projected to fall from 9.6 billion in 2026 to 8.7 billion in 2027 before recovering to 10.5 billion by 2031.
Erno Hildén, President and CEO of AirBaltic, shared “Every successful airline must continuously adapt to a changing market. Thus, this business plan is about making disciplined choices that strengthen AirBaltic’s long-term competitiveness while preserving what matters most—reliable connectivity and operations, together with financial sustainability
