Tag Archives: airBaltic

Fokker Next Gen and airBaltic sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Fokker Next Gen is developing a clean sheet 120–150 seat narrowbody aircraft, powered by liquid hydrogen combustion, with a range of up to 2.500 km. Entry into service is planned for 2035.
airBaltic is committed to contributing to innovation developments in the aviation industry and the economic strength of the Baltic region.
airBaltic is interested in evaluating the potential of hydrogen powered aircraft opportunities with Fokker Next Gen.
Through this MoU, the collaboration between airBaltic and Fokker Next Gen will include the incorporation of end user feedback into the design and development of the Fokker Next Gen liquid hydrogen combustion powered aircraft.

Fokker Next Gen N.V. (Fokker Next Gen), a pioneering liquid hydrogen powered commercial aircraft manufacturer that plans to produce aircraft both in the Netherlands and in Latvia, and Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic), Latvia’s national airline, are pleased to announce this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets the stage for a collaborative future in aviation.

This memorandum will leverage the insights of airBaltic to contribute to the development of the Fokker Next Gen liquid hydrogen combustion powered commercial aircraft.

From airBaltic’s perspective, this is an opportunity to investigate hydrogen aircraft fit for the airline’s routes.

Fokker Next Gen, with its expertise in aircraft design, certification, and assembly, is developing a liquid hydrogen fueled aircraft that aims to revolutionize the industry. The aircraft will be designed with a dual fuel system so that it can also fly on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or kerosene when liquid hydrogen is not available.

airBaltic is committed to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the aviation industry and EU commitments. To reach that in the long run, airBaltic is dedicated to continuing advancing operational excellence, exploring innovative solutions – for example, through cooperation’s such as this – and implementing industry-wide practices.

This collaboration is poised to leverage the strengths of both companies and explore the vast potential of liquid hydrogen powered commercial aircraft for the aviation sector.

airBaltic launches flights from Riga to Skopje, Chisinau, and Pristina

airBaltic has announced that as part of its 2024 summer season, it has launched direct flights from Riga to Skopje, Chisinau, and Pristina. These new services connect Latvia’s capital with the new destinations of North Macedonia, Moldova, and Kosovo, offering two weekly flights to each new city and enhanced travel options.

Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is a city where history and modernity meet, offering a unique blend that captures the essence of Eastern Europe. The city is known for its diverse architectural landscape, which includes Ottoman-era buildings, Byzantine churches, and modern neoclassical structures. As a cultural center, Skopje features numerous museums, such as the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, and vibrant markets like the Old Bazaar. With its recent urban enhancements and rich history, Skopje provides a fascinating and hospitable experience for all its visitors. Flights between Riga and Skopje are scheduled to take 2 hours and 46 minutes.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is definitely an intriguing destination of Eastern Europe. This city is characterized by its leafy boulevards and lush parks. Chisinau’s architectural style displays a mix of Soviet-era designs and modern renovations, providing a backdrop for its evolving cultural scene. The city is bustling with art galleries, live music venues, and traditional Moldovan restaurants offering local wines and cuisines. Chisinau’s commitment to cultural preservation alongside its dynamic growth makes it a compelling stop for travelers seeking a deep cultural immersion. Flights between Riga and Chisinau are scheduled to take 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, is rapidly emerging as a vibrant city in the Balkans. Despite its youthful energy, Pristina respects its deep historical roots, visible in landmarks like the Imperial Mosque and the ethnographic museum housed in a traditional Ottoman inn. The cityscape is a canvas of stark contrasts, featuring brutalist Yugoslav architecture alongside contemporary buildings. Pristina is also a hub for arts and culture, with numerous festivals, trendy cafes, and arts venues that reflect its cosmopolitan spirit. Its ongoing urban development and cultural vibrancy make Pristina an exciting and welcoming destination for visitors looking for new adventures in Europe. Flights between Riga and Pristina are scheduled to take 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Top Copyright Photo: airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (Bombardier CS300 – BD-500-1A11) YL-AAO (msn 55050) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 963144.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

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airBaltic adds six new destinations for summer 2024

Today, May 2, the Latvian national airline airBaltic, with a flight from Riga to Tirana and a dedicated special event at RIX Riga Airport, announced the launch of the 2024 summer season, introducing six new destinations and connecting Riga with more than 70 routes within the carrier’s network. In total, airBaltic will offer 15 new routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Tampere for the upcoming summer season. These will also include routes such as Palanga–Amsterdam and Copenhagen–Oslo (Sandefjord, Torp).

Tirana, the capital of Albania, seamlessly merges its historical heritage with a dynamic contemporary vibe, establishing it as a fascinating European destination. Located in the heart of the country, it is surrounded by lush mountains and scenic landscapes. Tirana is rich in cultural attractions, including museums, art galleries, and theaters, complemented by trendy cafes and authentic Albanian restaurants. Known for its colorful buildings and progressive urban planning, Tirana provides a unique and warm welcome to visitors from around the globe, offering an unforgettable experience.

Flights between Riga and Tirana are scheduled to take 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Today also marked the inaugural airBaltic flight on the Riga-Sofia route, with a duration of 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, elegantly combines its ancient heritage with a lively modern lifestyle, making it an intriguing European destination. Situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the city boasts a blend of historic landmarks and bustling city life. The city is a cultural epicenter, featuring numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, alongside a variety of cafes and traditional Bulgarian eateries. Known for its green spaces and commitment to cultural preservation, Sofia offers a unique and inviting experience to visitors from all over the world.

Destination served	Flight frequency	Start date
Riga–Tirana (Albania)	2 flights weekly	May 2, 2024
Riga–Sofia (Bulgaria)	3 flights weekly	May 2, 2024
Riga–Ljubljana (Slovenia)	2 flights weekly	May 2, 2024
Riga–Skopje (North Macedonia)	2 flights weekly	May 2, 2024
Riga–Chisinau (Moldova)	2 flights weekly	May 4, 2024
Riga–Pristina (Kosovo)	2 flights weekly	May 4, 2024

airBaltic operates more than 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere and, seasonally, Gran Canaria offering connections to a wide range of destinations in the airline’s route network in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic launches direct flights from Tampere to Palma de Mallorca

airBaltic has announced the launch of direct flights between Tampere, Finland and Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Starting today, flights will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and will continue until October.

Currently, airBaltic operates eight direct routes from Tampere to European destinations. This year, the airline plans to add 17 new routes from all its bases and has expanded its network to include seven new countries in the Balkan region.

In 2024, airBaltic will connect Finland with direct flights to 10 destinations and offer one-stop connections to more than 70 destinations in its network.

The new flights will be operated by Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

In other news, the airline issued this statement:

As the Latvian national airline, airBaltic prepares to publish its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, preliminary data already points to a strong performance. airBaltic continues to demonstrate operational excellence and confident business indicators, building on its record results for the full year of 2023. According to preliminary indicators, total revenue for Q1 is expected to reach approximately EUR 132 million, an increase of 26% as compared to the corresponding period of 2023 and the highest ever in Q1 for the airline. Passenger numbers increased by 20% compared to the first quarter of 2023 – another historical high for Q1 for airBaltic.

Significant improvements were also seen in airBaltic’s overall operational capacity, as evidenced by a 30% increase in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) to 1.9 billion, compared to 1.5 billion in Q1 2023. The airline’s load factor has improved to 75.9% from 71%, also the best ever performance in Q1 record. Total flights, including ACMI, rose to 12.3 thousand in Q1 2024, up from 11.4 thousand in the same quarter the previous year, an 8% increase.

airBaltic plans to announce full financial results of the first three months will be presented on 22^nd of May, 2024, during an investor call, and afterwards the information will be available on the company’s website.

Position	Q1 2024 (Preliminary data)*	Q1 2023	Change
Total revenue	EUR 132.3 million	EUR 105.1 million	26%
Passengers	926 thousand	770 thousand	20%
Total flights (including ACMI)	12.3 thousand	11.4 thousand	8%
Flights	9.6 thousand	8.7 thousand	11%
ASK (billion)	1.9 billion	1.5 billion	30%
Load Factor (%)	75.9%	71%	4.9pp

* Subject to change.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic launches direct flights from Riga to Ljubljana

airBaltic, in the presence of the airline and RIX RIGA Airport representatives, and the Slovenian Ambassador to Latvia, on April 25 launched direct flights between Riga and Ljubljana. This new service connects the two cities with two weekly flights, enhancing travel options between Latvia and Slovenia.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, combines rich history with vibrant modernity, making it a captivating European destination. Nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, it features picturesque landscapes and the iconic Ljubljanica River flowing through its center. The city showcases a blend of historic architecture and contemporary urban spaces. As a cultural hub, Ljubljana is filled with museums, galleries, and theaters, enhanced by lively cafes and traditional eateries. Recognized for its sustainable urban development, Ljubljana offers a warm welcome and a memorable experience to visitors worldwide.

Flights between Riga and Ljubljana are scheduled to take 2 hours and 15 minutes.

During the summer season 2024, airBaltic will offer 15 new routes from the Baltics and Tampere.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic introduces additional “Pop-Up Flights” for Summer

airBaltic has announced that it will operate additional special pop-up flights this summer season, serving the increased passenger demand to selected destinations for a specific period of time.

The new pop-up flights will include a domestic service between airBaltic’s home base in Riga, Latvia and the coastal city of Liepaja. Furthermore, the airline will operate pop-up flights from Tallinn, Estonia to Palma de Mallorca, Spain at the end of summer.

Riga-Liepaja flights are scheduled from July 11 to July 22, and from August 1 to August 5, operating twice a week. One-way ticket prices for Economy Classic and Businesshave been set at 39 EUR and 99 EUR, respectively. There will be only one upsell level applicable for economy class. Flights from Tallinn to Palma de Mallorca will be operated once a week, on Mondays.

As it has been mentioned before, airBaltic will also operate pop-up flights from Riga to Ostrava, Czech Republic during the period of the Latvian men’s national hockey team’s games in the IIHF 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship. Flights are scheduled for May 11, 13, 17, 20, and 22, and tickets are still available for purchase.

airBaltic and Tez Tour Latvia to continue their extensive cooperation

airBaltic, the national airline of Latvia, together with the tour operator Tez Tour Latvia, is delighted to announce an extension of their on-going collaboration.

This partnership, which includes 12 popular destinations among Latvian travelers such as Spain, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Georgia, will also enhance airBaltic’s already published 17 new routes for the upcoming summer season.

Route Map:

airBaltic tests SpaceX’s Starlink Internet

airBaltic has announced it has conducted an initial test of SpaceX’s Starlink internet connectivity system onboard its Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The ground test was conducted at the airline’s home base in Riga, and the inflight connectivity system was tested with a full cabin comprising airBaltic and SpaceX’s Starlink employees.

airBaltic is working with SpaceX on achieving the required STC (supplemental type certification) approval and is expected to begin installing the product on the airBaltic Airbus A220-300 fleet by the end of this year.

With plans to equip its entire A220-300 fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink inflight connectivity system, airBaltic aims to provide every passenger with seamless, high-speed internet access throughout their journey without hassles or login pages. From boarding to landing, internet access will be available to all passengers.

Developed by SpaceX, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet in over 90 countries and territories around the world and began serving commercial aircraft last year with in-flight high-speed internet. With satellites positioned in low-Earth orbit at an altitude over 65 times closer than conventional geostationary satellites, Starlink achieves significantly lower latency and higher transmission speeds for its end users. Starlink can deliver up to 500 Mbps to aircraft, and with latency as low as 20 ms, passengers can engage in activities previously not functional in flight, including online gaming, virtual private networks, and other high data rate activities.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic adds three new routes

airBaltic has announced a further expansion from the Baltics by adding three new routes – Riga–Madeira (Portugal), Tallinn–Kittilä (Finland) and Vilnius–Oslo Torp (Norway) – for the upcoming winter season that will start at the end of October 2024.

Destination served	Starting date	Flight frequency	*Price ,GREEN**	*Price ,BUSINESS LIGHT**
Riga–Madeira (Portugal)	October 28, 2024	Three weekly flights	199 EUR	429 EUR
Vilnius–Oslo Torp (Norway)	October 29, 2024	Two weekly flights	45 EUR	219 EUR
Tallinn–Kittilä (Finland)	December 21, 2024	Up to two weekly flights	89 EUR	299 EUR

*Lowest fare (one-way), including taxes, fees and service charges, on www.airBaltic.com, subject to availability

In addition to new destinations airBaltic will increase flight frequencies on routes from Riga to Stockholm, Prague, Tampere, and more, as well, as from Tallinn to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Gran Canaria, and from Vilnius to Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and more.

Furthermore, the airline will continue to operate some of its seasonal routes during the winter season, including Riga–Ljubljana, Riga–Baku (November), Tallinn– Malta (November), Vilnius–Lisbon and Vilnius–Hamburg.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic expands in Vilnius, adds two more routes for Summer 2024

airBaltic has announced a further expansion in Vilnius by adding two more routes – to Lisbon (Portugal) and Hamburg (Germany) – to its upcoming summer schedule from the Lithuanian capital. Both new routes are part of a risk-sharing cooperation between airBaltic and Lithuanian Airports.

Destination served	Starting date	Flight frequency	*Price ,GREEN**	*Price ,BUSINESS LIGHT**
Vilnius–Hamburg (Germany)	May 2, 2024	2 flights weekly	59 €	229 €
Vilnius–Lisbon (Portugal)	May 4, 2024	2 flights weekly	129 €	359 €