2025 in Review: «airBaltic» Operational Overview and Network Development

airBaltic.com | 2026.01.15

Summarizing 2025, the Latvian airline airBaltic outlines a year focused on the passenger experience, reliable connectivity, and operational performance. Throughout the company’s 30th anniversary year, the airline operated scheduled, ACMI, and charter services, while continuing work on enhancing customer experience, fleet development, partnerships, and operational capabilities. The following report highlights the key statistics and operational highlights, which represent airBaltic’s operations in 2025. 
 
Erno Hildén, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “I joined airBaltic at the end of 2025, following a year of continued traffic growth and strong passenger demand. Looking ahead to 2026, our priority is to be the airline of choice for travellers from the Baltic region – trusted for reliability, convenience, and a consistently high-quality experience. By maintaining a modern, efficient Airbus A220-300 fleet, strengthening our operational excellence, and continuing to invest in service quality, we aim to deliver seamless journeys that passengers can rely on every day and choose with confidence.”

Network and Operational Performance

Raksts turpinās pēc reklāmas

Zinātnes šovi katru dienu

Jūnijā zinātnes centrs VIZIUM svinēs jubileju un priecēs apmeklētājus ar daudzveidīgām aktivitātēm.

Ventspils TIC

Overall, in 2025, airBaltic operated 133 routes to 82 destinations in 38 countries, providing connectivity from the Baltic region to Europe and beyond. Based on preliminary data for 2025, the airline operated more than 47 thousand flights (+2.6% year-on-year) and carried over 5.2 million passengers (a new annual record), representing close to +1.4% increase compared to the previous year, and thus reflecting continued demand for airBaltic’s services. Furthermore, punctuality rate marked a solid level of 77% throughout the year (+3.4pp over 2024).
 
The airline also marked several operational anniversaries, including 20 years of service between Riga and Barcelona and 30 years of operations between Riga-Stockholm and Riga-Helsinki. 
 
Passenger Demand and Key Markets

Passenger demand was distributed across leisure and hub-connectivity destinations, which included Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Dubai, Paris, London Gatwick, Vienna, Rome, Oslo, Zurich, and Berlin from Riga, as well as Amsterdam, Tallinn, Paris, Munich, Lisbon, Tenerife, Dubai, Berlin, Hamburg, and Prague from Vilnius, and Amsterdam, Paris, Vilnius, London Gatwick, Munich, Malaga, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Brussels, and Tenerife from Tallinn. 
 
Customer Experience and Onboard Services

Customer experience enhancements remained a key focus in 2025, as airBaltic launched the phased installation of SpaceX Starlink high-speed internet across its fleet, becoming the first airline in Europe to offer this service. By the end of the year, Starlink was available on 21 airBaltic aircraft, providing class-leading inflight internet connectivity throughout the flight. The installation programme will continue in 2026, with the aim of making Starlink available on the majority of airBaltic’s scheduled flights. 
 
Fleet Development

Furthermore, fleet development continued throughout the year. In 2025, airBaltic received three new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, further expanding its fleet with modern and fuel-efficient jets. The airline also marked the delivery of its 50th Airbus A220-300, featuring a special livery inspired by nature and the symbols of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. The aircraft was officially presented in Mirabel, Canada, and in Riga, Latvia. 
 
Partnerships and Connectivity Development

At the same time, cooperation with international partners continued to develop. The Lufthansa Group completed its minority investment in airBaltic alongside the Latvian state. Codeshare partnerships were expanded with Lufthansa Group airlines and Turkish Airlines, while cooperation with Air India was announced, improving connectivity for passengers traveling beyond Europe. 
 
ACMI and Charter Operations

In addition to scheduled services, ACMI and charter operations remained a significant part of airBaltic’s business model, supporting fleet utilisation and contributing to the airline’s revenue base. Based on preliminary data for 2025, airBaltic operated 30 thousand flights (+14.5% year-on-year) within the ACMI segment. ACMI activities included operations for several established European airlines, supporting both fleet utilisation and the continued expansion of airBaltic’s ACMI customer base. Charter operations totalled 654 flights in 2025. 
 
Cargo and Mail Operations

To this day, airBaltic is the largest air cargo and mail carrier in RIX Riga Airport, maintaining its market leader position also in 2025. Beyond passenger services, airBaltic supported passenger and cargo operations across its network, handling a wide range of shipments alongside scheduled flights. On August 23, a record 3 135 kg of cargo was loaded on a flight from Riga to Chisinau, thus representing the heaviest cargo payload carried on a single regular commercial airBaltic Airbus A220 flight since 2020. In addition, the airline transported more than 800 000 bags of mail across its network, supporting regional and international postal connectivity. 
 
Workforce, Training, and Infrastructure

Alongside operational development, airBaltic invested in training and long-term workforce development, with a focus on building internal skills and expertise. During the year, 414 employees were recruited, bringing the total workforce close to 3 000 professionals. The majority of new-hires were cabin crew, passenger handling agents, pilots, and aircraft mechanics. 
 
To support flight operations and long-term growth, airBaltic expanded its training and maintenance capabilities, by doubling simulator capacity with the addition of a new Airbus A220 full-flight simulator. Operational capacity was further supported by the launch of two new aircraft hangars and the opening of the Baltic Cargo Hub, one of the largest air cargo facilities in the Baltics. 
 
Pilot Academy Development

The airBaltic Pilot Academy also continued to support flight crew development, with 62 new cadets joining the Academy, while 40 students graduated and entered operational roles within the airline. Five former Pilot Academy graduates upgraded to Captain, and by year-end, the Academy had 157 active students. 
 
Industry Recognition

During the year, airBaltic received several international recognitions related to safety, fleet, sustainability, and employer practices. These included recognition by Airline Ratings among the World’s Safest Airlines for 2025 and the Top Airlines for 2025, the Flyers’ Choice Awards 2025 and acknowledgement among Leading Airlines in Sustainability. In addition, ch-aviation recognised airBaltic with the Europe’s Third Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2025, while APEX awarded the airline the Five Star Major Airline Award. 
 
 
Public Engagement

In 2025, airBaltic marked its 30th anniversary through a series of activities, involving passengers, employees, and partners. The celebrations culminated on October 1, marking 30 years since airBaltic operated its first commercial flight, on the Riga–Stockholm route. To commemorate the occasion, a special flight was operated on the same route, featuring an in-flight choir performance. In addition, to mark the 107th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia, airBaltic participated for the sixth time in the national ceremonial parade with a flyover along the river Daugava in Riga. It was performed by an Airbus A220-300 aircraft (registration YL-CSL) painted in the red-white-red colours of the Latvian flag.

Additionally, during the previous year airBaltic named its aircraft after 16 cities and towns in Latvia, marking the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way. The initiative highlights the shared cultural heritage of the Baltic States, strengthens international recognition of the region, and supports tourism by promoting these destinations to both local and international travellers. 
 
Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, airBaltic will continue its planned activities across fleet development, network adjustments, and operational processes. Ongoing work will focus on maintaining stable operations, supporting connectivity from the Baltic region, and further enhancing the customer experience through targeted improvements across the entire passenger journey, alongside the continued evolution of onboard products and service enhancements.