airBaltic is preparing collective redundancies across its Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn bases as it reduces its Airbus A220 fleet to 36 aircraft by the end of 2026. The Latvian carrier has not disclosed the final number of job losses, but earlier estimates indicated that 500–700 positions could be affected. The cuts form part of a business plan focused on financial stabilisation and more profitable routes.
Board chairman Andrejs Martinovs indicated that greater clarity on the scale of the redundancies should emerge in early November. The number remains subject to change as employees continue to leave voluntarily for new jobs or personal reasons. Martinovs rejected suggestions of a mass staff exodus.
A proposed collective agreement to move employees to an 85% workload was not reached with a trade union. Staff may still apply individually for reduced hours, with each request assessed separately. The carrier expects staffing needs to rise again for the following summer season, potentially complicating rehiring.
airBaltic is also undergoing voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring in the United States to reorganise its obligations and secure additional funding. Its fleet, reported at about 54 aircraft in related coverage, is expected to increase gradually to 40 by 2030 after the year-end reduction. No final redundancy total, implementation timetable or detailed route changes have been disclosed.