airBaltic to suspend Vilnius flights to Berlin, Dubai, cut Tallinn service

VILNIUS - Latvian carrier airBaltic will suspend flights from Vilnius to Berlin and Dubai and from Palanga to Tenerife during the upcoming winter season due to financial challenges, while reducing flight frequencies between Vilnius and Tallinn, the airline said.

AirBaltic representative Edvards Dalderis said the company regularly reviews its route network based on demand, seasonality, commercial factors and the overall market situation, describing the move as standard practice.

A company spokesperson emphasised that the flight cancellations were not related to any financial difficulties facing the airline.

"As part of this ongoing review, airBaltic is making targeted adjustments to its upcoming winter schedule from Vilnius. These include the suspension of the Vilnius-Berlin, Vilnius-Dubai and Palanga-Tenerife routes, as well as frequency reductions on flights between Vilnius and Tallinn to better align capacity with expected winter travel demand," Dalderis said.

According to him, the changes affect only a small portion of the company's flights from Lithuania, and the country remains a strategically important market for airBaltic.

"Existing bookings remain valid, and all flights continue to operate according to the published schedule. airBaltic remains fully committed to the Lithuanian market and to ensuring strong and reliable air connectivity for passengers travelling to and from the country," he added.

Lithuanian Airports said airBaltic had indicated that no further changes were expected for its winter schedule from Lithuania.

According to the company, all the mentioned destinations will remain accessible via direct flights from Lithuania.

"During the winter season, the Vilnius-Berlin route will be served by Wizz Air with three weekly flights planned from late October, while Flydubai will operate flights to Dubai. Tenerife will continue to be served by direct airBaltic flights from Vilnius," Lithuanian Airports said.

The airline also noted it will launch a new route from Vilnius to Geneva this winter. airBaltic currently operates 20 direct routes from Vilnius and two from Palanga.

At the end of July, Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said he had no data suggesting airBaltic would reduce its operations in Lithuania or intended to withdraw from the country. He noted that a contingency plan was being prepared in case the company scaled back its activities, but urged against premature panic.

In early July, Latvian Finance Minister Maris Kucinskis said airBaltic would likely have to reduce its operations due to financial difficulties.