Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
airBaltic is removing airsickness bags from seat-back pockets and trash bags from cockpits as the airline intensifies cost-cutting. The changes affect both passengers and crews and come as the carrier continues operating under a Chapter 11 restructuring process.
airBaltic
Latest source-backed stories
airBaltic is removing airsickness bags from seat-back pockets and trash bags from cockpits as the airline intensifies cost-cutting. The changes affect both passengers and crews and come as the carrier continues operating under a Chapter 11 restructuring process.
airBaltic has been given until late in the fourth quarter of 2026 to secure new investors, setting a defined deadline for the Latvian airline’s ownership and financing plans. The requirement adds urgency to its efforts to attract additional capital and clarify its long-term shareholder structure.
High activity
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says the airline will not add a fuel surcharge despite rising jet fuel prices, citing hedging through summer 2026. He expects competitors to pass costs to passengers, potentially accelerating failures and consolidation, while Qatar Airways is also holding off on fare increases for now.
SWISS is assessing alternatives for five Airbus A220-300s operated under a wet-lease agreement with financially troubled airBaltic. The Latvian carrier’s crisis could affect SWISS capacity planning, while Lufthansa Group’s 10% stake in airBaltic adds a corporate dimension to the fleet decision.
Ryanair has proposed a five-year, $1.6 billion investment across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, including additional aircraft and routes. The plan comes as airBaltic pursues creditor protection, positioning Ryanair to capitalize on weakness at the Baltic region’s established network carrier.
High activity
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved airBaltic’s first-day Chapter 11 relief requests, including access to $162 million in financing. The orders allow Latvia’s flag carrier to continue normal operations while pursuing a court-supervised restructuring backed by an investor pool.
High activity
Latvia’s national airline airBaltic has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York while maintaining normal flight operations. The carrier is seeking debtor-in-possession financing of up to €350 million, days after pursuing a €257 million emergency package carrying a 25% interest rate.
Latvian carrier airBaltic is seeking approval for up to €257 million ($300 million) in emergency financing at a 25% annual interest rate. The funding is intended to provide liquidity while the airline undertakes a major operational restructuring.
Create a free account to see more recent airBaltic stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
