airBaltic’s summer 2026 schedule signals more than just seasonal growth. Following the six routes announced back in September, airBaltic has added a further four routes from Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania). The recent additions prioritise capital-to-capital links, strengthening the network’s relevance rather than just expanding its footprint. Combined with a sharp rise in seat capacity across all three Baltic States, the move positions airBaltic for its largest and most operationally ambitious summer yet.
Expansion Backed by Seat Capacity
On top of launching new routes, airBaltic has stated its seat capacity will increase across all three Baltic States for the summer 2026 season. Capacity in Riga will rise by 12%, adding more than 400,000 seats compared to 2025. In Tallinn (Estonia), capacity will increase by 11%, or more than 90,000 seats. Furthermore, in Lithuania, covering Vilnius, Palanga and Kaunas, capacity is set to grow by 21%, adding more than 150,000 seats.
The airline said the increase reflects demand forecasts and route performance data – VP Network Manager, Mantas Vrubliauskas, added:
“By increasing seat capacity across all three Baltic capitals, we are offering more destinations, better connectivity, and greater flexibility, while continuing to strengthen the Baltic States’ connectivity with Europe and beyond.”
airBaltic Fleet Highlights
The new routes are programmed as follows:
- Riga-Warsaw (Poland), starting on 30 March 2026, three weekly flights
- Riga-Gothenburg (Sweden), starting on 13 April 2026, two weekly flights
- Vilnius-Chisinau (Moldova), starting on 1 April 2026, two weekly flights
- Vilnius-Zurich (Switzerland), starting on 3 May 2026, with three weekly flights
airBaltic will resume four previously suspended routes for summer 2026, including services from Riga to Aberdeen (United Kingdom), Belgrade and Yerevan (Armenia), and from Tallinn to Oslo (Norway). Flight frequencies on 30 existing routes will also increase, with more information set to be released later this month.
Next year, the airline will operate more than 110 routes across its bases, an increase of roughly 9% compared to this summer. airBaltic operates one of Europe’s youngest fleets, with 51 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, and offers both economy and business class on all scheduled flights. Moreover, it is the first European carrier to provide free SpaceX Starlink internet onboard, with plans to equip its entire fleet.
Which of the new routes would you try first? Join the conversation in the comments!
