airBaltic is preparing to cut between 500 and 700 jobs across its bases in Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn as part of a broader restructuring and new business plan, while keeping its current flight schedule unchanged. The planned reductions would affect roughly one-fifth to nearly one-quarter of the airline’s workforce of about 3,000 and come as the carrier continues its Chapter 11 process and works to align staffing with a smaller future operation.
The final number has not been set, with the estimate still subject to change during consultations with trade unions and labour authorities. airBaltic is also weighing reduced workloads for pilots and cabin crew as part of the wider workforce review, while new organisational structures are expected to be defined by mid-October. More detailed information for employees is due during October.
The job cuts are tied to a reset of the airline’s operating model and cost base, with management seeking to match staffing levels to a future business that is expected to be smaller than the current one. The carrier has already been adjusting its fleet and network assumptions as part of the restructuring.
Despite the scale of the planned changes, airBaltic says normal operations will continue and scheduled flights are being operated as planned. The immediate effect is therefore organisational rather than operational, even as the airline pushes ahead with balance-sheet repair and a revised strategic plan.