As of December 1st, 2025, the Latvian airline airBaltic has stated that Erno Hildén begins his duties as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), initially announced in August this year.
About Erno Hildén
Since August, many have been anticipating when Erno Hildén would take over his duties as CEO, with over 25 years of international experience in both aviation and finance. His extensive leadership can be seen in his experience as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, which he fulfilled until June 2025. Before this, he continued to hold various senior roles at both Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and Finnair Pic, such as Group CFO, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and member of the Executive Board.
With the start of his new duties, Erno Hildén has shared:
“I am honoured to join the airBaltic team. Together with the Executive Board and our teams, I will focus on ensuring continuity, strengthening day-to-day operations, and supporting the airline’s strategic development and long-term sustainability. airBaltic plays a vital role in the connectivity and economic development of the Baltic region, and I look forward to applying my extensive experience to support its next phase.”
More On airBaltic
With Erno Hildén now performing his duties as CEO, the Interim CEO Pauls Cālītis has returned to his duties as COO and a member of the Executive Board. Cālītis temporarily took over the leadership of airBaltic until this date after the previous CEO, Martin Gauss, was dismissed back in April 2025.
The Latvian airline has become recognised as a globally respected carrier over the part 30 years, connecting the Baltic states to 80 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus region. There are high hopes that, under Hildén’s leadership, airBaltic will continue to expand, continuing to provide essential infrastructure and global connectivity for the region.
Follow Travel Radar for future updates on airBaltic, and learn more about the new CEO here!
