Major European airline with flights from London files for bankruptcy
All flights will continue to operate as scheduled
JaneWalter
Latvia’s national airline has told customers that flights will “continue as normal” after it initiated bankruptcy proceedings.
On 14 September, airBaltic voluntarily filed for a Chapter 11 financial reorganisation in the US to continue operations while restructuring its finances.
The airline flies directly from the UK to Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania) from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester airports.
According to the airline, all aircraft, crews, schedule and services will “continue exactly as before, with the same focus on safety and operational reliability”.
AirBaltic said that the move was an important step to “strengthen our financial position and support our broader plan to build a more efficient, stronger airline for the future”.
It told passengers that tickets remain valid with no required action.
The company has secured a commitment for €350m (£299m) in financing to provide liquidity and support during the Chapter 11 process.
In August, airBaltic carried 554,700 passengers across its network, a five per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
For the summer 2027 season, airBaltic plans to operate 57 direct destinations from Riga, 13 from Tallinn, and eight from Vilnius.
Erno Hildén, president and chief executive officer of airBaltic: “Our focus is on continuing to run the airline while implementing the changes set out in our new business plan. For our passengers, this process will not be noticeable – our operations continue as normal, and we are flying, selling tickets and planning our future schedule, with the same focus on safety and operational reliability.
“At the same time, we are taking the necessary steps to make airBaltic a more financially sustainable airline. This process allows us to continue that work while maintaining our day-to-day operations and serving our passengers and partners.”
