Starlink internet connection might be available to airBaltic passengers this year

RIGA - Passengers of Latvian national airline airBaltic could start using SpaceX's Starlink internet connectivity system on Airbus A220-300 aircraft this year, airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

The airBaltic CEO indicated that practical work will begin this year to integrate the Starlink system in aircraft and testing it. Hopefully, airBaltic passengers will have the opportunity to start using this high-speed internet already this year, Gauss added.

He noted that the Starlink connection can provide an internet speed of up to 350 megabits per second, so passengers will be able to connect for free to online games, video calls and other activities that were previously unavailable on board commercial flights. 

Developed by SpaceX, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet in over 40 countries and counting around the world and began serving commercial aircraft last year with in-flight high-speed internet, airBaltic representatives informed earlier. 

As reported, airBaltic posted a EUR 33.652 million profit for 2023, recovering from a loss incurred a year before, while the group's audited turnover grew 33.5 percent year-on-year to EUR 667.982 million.

airBaltic is a joint stock company that was established in 1995. Its primary shareholder is the Latvian state, which holds 97.97 percent of the stock, while the rest of the shareholders hold 2.03 percent.