Transport Ministry instructs airBaltic supervisory board to promptly explain reasons for flight cancellations

RIGA - The Transport Ministry has instructed the supervisory board of national airline airBaltic to promptly explain the airline's decision to cancel a number of flights and its impact on Latvia's connectivity, according to Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens' (Progressives) post to social network X.

The minister emphasizes that it is absolutely unacceptable that the company's management has not publicly explained its decisions.

At the same time, Briskens reminds that the management of airBaltic - including the company's CEO Martin Gauss and chairman of the supervisory board Klavs Vasks - must keep their promises to raise EUR 300 million to implement the company's business plan and to ensure that airBaltic's activities are in the interests of the state of Latvia and passengers.

Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers), in a post to X, points out that the management of airBaltic should have ensured that its own fleet is in working order and sufficient before leasing planes to other airlines.

"This is unacceptable, it causes unnecessary inconvenience to passengers and hinders economic growth of our country. Gauss must take responsibility," said Valainis.

As reported, airBaltic will cancel 4,670 flights from all its bases for the summer season 2025, the airline said on Thursday.

The cancellations are a result of unexpected delays and prolonged engine maintenance by its supplier, Pratt & Whitney. The engine manufacturer's inability to meet its timely maintenance obligations has impacted the operational capabilities of airBaltic's Airbus A220-300 fleet, forcing the airline to adjust its summer schedule.

airBaltic has been informed by Pratt & Whitney that several of its A220-300 aircraft will remain grounded into 2025 due to an engine shortage. As a result, the airline will cancel 19 routes and reduce frequencies on 21 others across its bases.

In total, 4 670 flights will be cancelled, affecting an estimated 67,160 passengers. Despite these challenges, airBaltic will continue operating most of its flights - over 70 destinations across Europe and beyond - ensuring the Baltic countries remain connected to the rest of the world.

Customers whose bookings are affected are advised to check their reservations via the Manage My Booking section on airBaltic.com. From there, they can select alternative airBaltic flights or request a full refund. For further assistance, passengers may contact the airBaltic Call Center or the third-party website where tickets were purchased.

LETA also reported, in 2023 airBaltic's audited turnover was EUR 664.289 million, up 33.2 percent on 2022, and the company made a profit of EUR 33.852 million, compared to a loss the year before.

The Latvian state owns 97.97 percent of airBaltic's shares, while the financial investor, Danish businessman Lars Thuesen's Aircraft Leasing 1, owns 2.03 percent.