airBaltic has announced that, starting from October 27, 2024, it will conclude its ACMI-in (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operations for the upcoming winter season. The ACMI-in operation was a short-term wet-lease solution, introduced to meet the increased demand during the busy summer months and to address supply chain issues related to aircraft engine maintenance. This practice involves leasing of aircraft from other airlines to fulfill airBaltic’s routes when additional capacity is required.
Transitioning Back to airBaltic A220-300 Fleet
Passengers can expect a consistent experience across all flights as airBaltic transitions back to exclusively operating its own Airbus A220-300 fleet for the winter season.
Speaking to Travel Radar, Martin Gauss, CEO and President of airBaltic said:
“Our adaptability this past summer allowed us to maintain all planned operations despite external challenges. Our first priority is always to deliver the best customer experience through focusing solely on our Airbus A220 300 fleet, while we have sufficient aircraft availability, and we’re committed to expanding and strengthening our fleet to support the growing demand for air travel from our passengers. I want to thank our passengers for their patience and understanding, as these temporary operations were part of our efforts to ensure reliable connectivity.”
Looking forward, airBaltic will soon welcome its 49th Airbus A220-300 aircraft, further expanding its fleet. The company’s long-term growth strategy aims to increase the fleet size to up to 100 aircraft by 2030, reinforcing its position as a leading carrier in the region, and reducing the reliance on ACMI-in operations over the busier summer months.
About airBaltic
airBaltic is the leading airline in the Baltics and one of Europe’s fastest growing carriers. As a hybrid airline, it leverages the upsides of both traditional network and low-cost carriers. Through a network of more than 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and, seasonally, Gran Canaria, airBaltic connects the Baltics with over 70 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus.
Founded in 1995, today airBaltic operates one of Europe’s youngest fleets, consisting of 48 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, and employs over 2700 staff. The company is majority-owned by the Latvian state, which holds a 97.97% stake, with the remaining 2.03% owned by private shareholders.
