Editing AirBaltic (section)

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Air Baltic Avro RJ70 Jonsson.jpg|thumb|A former airBaltic [[British Aerospace 146|Avro RJ70]] in historic livery, which was retired in 2005]]
[[File:AirBaltic Boeing 757-200 at RIX.jpg|thumb|An airBaltic Boeing 757-200WL taking off from Riga International Airport, the airline's base, with other aircraft in the fleet in the background (May 2010)]]
[[File:Riga_Airport_2016.jpg|thumb|The airline's hub, [[Riga International Airport]], also houses the corporate head offices.]]
[[File:Check-In at Riga Airport.jpg|thumb|airBaltic check-in area at Riga International Airport]]
[[File:AirBaltic Bombardier CS300 mainenance (33093274391).jpg|thumb|The cabin of an airBaltic [[Airbus A220]]]]
Baltic International Airlines (BIA) was a Latvian and US joint venture company owned by SIA Baltic International Airlines whose main airport was Riga International Airport. It was founded in June 1992, after the US-based private company Baltic International USA (BIUSA) failed to buy a part of the state-owned Latvian national airline [[Latavio]]. In the joint venture, the Latvian government owned 60%, while BIUSA owned 40%. After unsuccessful privatization attempts, Latavio was declared insolvent in October 1995. It was liquidated and the [[Government of Latvia]] together with Baltic International Airlines created airBaltic.

The airline was established as Air Baltic on 28 August 1995 with the signing of a joint venture between [[Scandinavian Airlines]] (SAS) and the [[Government of Latvia]]. Operations started on 1 October 1995 with the first Air Baltic aircraft, a [[Saab 340]], in Riga, and that afternoon, the plane made the first passenger flight for Air Baltic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airbaltic.com/public/company_history.html |title=Company history |publisher=Airbaltic.com |access-date=2013-04-20 |archive-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601121148/http://www.airbaltic.com/public/company_history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1996, the airline's first [[BAe 146|Avro RJ70]] was delivered; and Air Baltic joined the SAS frequent flier club as a partner. In 1997, a cargo department was established and, in 1998, the airline's first [[Fokker 50]] plane was delivered. The adopted [[livery]] was mainly white, with the name of the airline written in blue on the forward [[fuselage]], the 'B' logo being heavily stylized in blue checks. The checker blue pattern was repeated on the aircraft [[Vertical stabilizer|tailfin]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In 1999, Air Baltic became a [[joint stock company]]; it was previously a [[limited liability company]]. All of the Saab 340s were replaced by Fokker 50s. In September, the airline began operating under the European Aviation Operating Standards, or JAR ops. Air Baltic welcomed the new millennium by introducing new uniforms<ref>{{cite web| url=https://25years.airbaltic.com/dress-code.html |title=Dress Code|publisher=airBaltic|access-date=2022-08-02}}</ref> and opening a cargo centre at Riga's airport.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

The first [[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-500]] joined the fleet in 2003, and on 1 June 2004, Air Baltic launched services from the Lithuanian capital, [[Vilnius]], initially to five destinations. In October 2004, Air Baltic was rebranded as '''airBaltic'''. Its present livery consists of an all-white fuselage and [[lime (color)|lime]] tailfin. airBaltic.com is displayed on the forward upper fuselage, and the word "Baltic" is repeated in blue on the lower part of the tailfin. In December 2006, the first Boeing 737-300 joined the fleet and was configured with [[winglet]]s. In July 2007, airBaltic introduced an online check-in system, the first online check-in system in the Baltic states.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.airbaltic.com/en/company-history | title=Company history | publisher=airBaltic }}</ref> In the spring of 2008, two long-haul [[Boeing 757]]s were added to the fleet. In 2010, the airline began leasing [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8]]-400 aircraft, it retired these aircraft in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://airwaysmag.com/air-baltic-returns-final-dash-8-q400/ | title=airBaltic Returns Final Dash 8-Q400 | first=Lee | last=Cross | work=Airways | date= 1 February 2023}}</ref>

airBaltic had strong links with SAS, which owned 47.2% of the airline, and operated frequent flights to SAS hubs in [[Copenhagen]], [[Oslo]] and [[Stockholm]]. Some of airBaltic's products and services are still shared with SAS, including co-ordinated timetabling and shared airport lounges. airBaltic is not a member of any [[airline alliance]] but does have codeshare agreements in place with several [[Star Alliance]] member airlines and others.

airBaltic had secondary hubs at [[Vilnius Airport]] and [[Tallinn Airport]].<ref name="Opening of base at Tallinn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.easier.com/68507-airbaltic-to-open-tallinn-base.html|title=airBaltic to open Tallinn base &#124; Easier|website=www.easier.com|accessdate=21 December 2022}}</ref> The majority of the routes commenced from Tallinn were cancelled shortly after opening, leading to complaints from the Estonian Consumer Protection Department.<ref name="Consumer Protection Department Warning re airBaltic">{{cite web|url=http://bnn-news.com/estonians-warned-to-be-careful-with-airbaltic-5498|title=Estonians warned to be careful with ''airBaltic''|date=15 October 2010|publisher=Baltic News Network|access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref>

In January 2009, SAS sold its entire stake in the company (47.2% of the airline) to Baltijas aviācijas sistēmas Ltd (BAS) for 14 million [[Latvian lats|lats]]. BAS was wholly owned by [[Bertolt Flick]] (President and CEO) until December 2010, when 50% of BAS shares were transferred to Taurus Asset Management Fund Limited, registered in the Bahamas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bnn-news.com/airbaltic-shareholders-structure-11608|title=Changes in airBaltic shareholders structure|date=16 December 2010|publisher=Baltic News Network|access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref>

===Development since 2010===
In August 2011, airBaltic requested more than 60 million lats in capital as its losses continued to mount,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/29348/ |title=airBaltic in need of massive investment as losses mount |publisher=[[The Baltic Times]] |date=2011-08-19 |access-date=2013-04-20|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and suffered speculation about its financial position<ref>{{cite web |author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/6/27/antonov-airbaltic-will-continue-its-business |title=Antonov: airBaltic will continue its business |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |date=2011-06-27 |access-date=2013-04-20|df=dmy-all |archive-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701094116/http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/6/27/antonov-airbaltic-will-continue-its-business |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/?PublicationId=a19ae3be-7d4c-4e7c-a415-d978a0175287&ref=rss |title=Tallinn Airport: airBaltic owes us money |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |date=2011-09-14 |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/?PublicationId=39c3b956-c0ca-416b-b36f-3743c2d1350e&ref=rss |title=Bookinghouse stops selling tickets to airBaltic flights |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |date=2011-06-28 |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/29539/ |title=airBaltic starts cancelling flights |publisher=[[The Baltic Times]] |date=2011-09-13 |access-date=2013-04-20|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and political scandals throughout 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bakutoday.net/former-latvian-president-unleashed-on-the-head-of-airbaltic-corruption-fighters.html |title=Former Latvian president unleashed on the head of airBaltic corruption fighters |publisher=Bakutoday.net |access-date=2013-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325211517/http://www.bakutoday.net/former-latvian-president-unleashed-on-the-head-of-airbaltic-corruption-fighters.html |archive-date=2012-03-25|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/29554/ |title=Suspected illegal activity haunts airBaltic |publisher=[[The Baltic Times]] |date=2011-09-14 |access-date=2013-04-20|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In mid September 2011, the company announced plans to lay off around half its employees and cancel around 700 flights a month to avoid possible grounding.<ref>{{cite web |author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/9/16/airbaltic-starts-massive-layoffs |title=airBaltic starts massive layoffs |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |date=2011-09-16 |access-date=2013-04-20|df=dmy-all |archive-date=16 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916205618/http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/9/16/airbaltic-starts-massive-layoffs |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelliguide.com/news/?ID=1539512&eid=4acrnLWVgPM= |title=Update: AirBaltic cancels flights through December |publisher=Intelliguide.com|df=dmy-all |access-date=2013-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402132950/http://www.intelliguide.com/news/?ID=1539512&eid=4acrnLWVgPM%3D |archive-date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> The company also announced that a mystery investor was willing to pay 9.6 million euros for an additional 59,110 shares.<ref>{{cite web |author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/9/13/breaking-news-airbaltic-sells-shares-cancels-flights |title=Breaking news: airBaltic sells shares, cancels flights |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com |date=2011-09-13 |access-date=2013-04-20 |archive-date=16 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916200328/http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/9/13/breaking-news-airbaltic-sells-shares-cancels-flights |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 October 2011, the plans were annulled in order to make the necessary investments in the airline's capital. The government of Latvia and BAS agreed to invest around 100 million lats in the airline's share capital in proportion to their stakes in airBaltic.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alla Petrova |url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=46654 |title=Agreement officially signed on bail out of airBaltic |publisher=[[The Baltic Course]]|df=dmy-all |date=2012-10-17 |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.msn.com/en-ph/news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403113721/http://news.ph.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5346951|url-status=dead|title=Philippine news, weather, world news|archive-date=3 April 2015|work=MSN Philippines News|access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> As part of the agreement its longtime president and [[CEO]] stepped down and Martin Gauss, former CEO of Hungarian airline [[Malév Hungarian Airlines]], became the new CEO.<ref>{{cite web |author=Toomas Hõbemägi |url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/Default.aspx?PublicationId=652c36e6-ab0c-45d4-a5af-3a5d8ebc726d |title=Martin Gauss confirmed as new CEO of airBaltic |publisher=Balticbusinessnews.com|df=dmy-all |date=2011-10-24 |access-date=2013-04-20 |archive-date=14 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514103015/http://balticbusinessnews.com/Default.aspx?PublicationId=652c36e6-ab0c-45d4-a5af-3a5d8ebc726d |url-status=dead }}</ref>

airBaltic had made an announcement on 23 September 2010 that it would establish a new secondary hub at [[Oulu Airport]].<ref name="yle.fi_20100923">{{cite web|url=http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/09/air_baltic_setting_up_oulu_hub_2004336.html |title=Air Baltic Setting up Oulu Hub |access-date=23 September 2010 |date=23 September 2010 |work=YLE News |publisher=Yleisradio Oy |location=Helsinki |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926115642/http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/09/air_baltic_setting_up_oulu_hub_2004336.html |archive-date=26 September 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="airbaltic_20100923">{{cite web|url=http://www.airbaltic.com/public/45198.html|title=airBaltic to Open a New Hub in Oulu, Finland|access-date=23 September 2010|date=23 September 2010|publisher=A/S airBaltic Corporation|location=Riga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924202142/http://www.airbaltic.com/public/45198.html|archive-date=24 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In early 2012, it was confirmed that Oulu hub plans were cancelled due to financial issues.<ref name="oulu-hub-cancelled">{{cite web |url= http://yle.fi/uutiset/air_balticin_solmusuunnitelma_kuivui_kasaan/5096717|title= airBaltic in solmusuunnitelma kuivui kasaan |date= 23 March 2012 | publisher= YLE uutiset |access-date=5 February 2012 | language = fi}}</ref> The cost-cutting program, initiated by airBaltic which aimed to return to profitability in 2014, scored better than planned results in 2012, by narrowing its losses to €27.2 million, from €121.5 in 2011.<ref name=2012results>{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/news/airbaltic-ahead-of-schedule-to-reach-profitability-in-2014-223513|title=airBaltic ahead of schedule to reach profitability in 2014|publisher=Centre for Aviation}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-19/airbaltic-2012-loss-beats-plan-on-reduced-fleet-size-christmas.html|title=airBaltic 2012 Loss Beats Plan on Reduced Fleet Size, Christmas|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=19 April 2013 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>

The state's shareholding had been 99.8% since 30 November 2011, following the collapse of a bank linked with a finance package negotiated for the airline,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/11/29/airbaltic-s-future-uncertain-after-krajbanka-s-collapse|title=airBaltic's future uncertain after Krajbanka's collapse|accessdate=21 December 2022|archive-date=3 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203050303/http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/11/29/airbaltic-s-future-uncertain-after-krajbanka-s-collapse|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/12/1/latvian-government-takes-over-airbaltic|title=Latvian government takes over airBaltic|accessdate=21 December 2022|archive-date=5 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205103420/http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2011/12/1/latvian-government-takes-over-airBaltic|url-status=dead}}</ref> but on 6 November 2015, it was reported that the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers had approved plans to sell 20% of airBaltic to German investor Ralf Dieter Montag-Girmes for €52 million and agreed to invest a further €80 million in the airline. The total of €132 million of fresh capital for the carrier is intended to spur its Horizon 2021 business plan and fleet modernisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=112616&underline=air+baltic|title=German investor for airBaltic|publisher=The Baltic Course}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/new-investor-completes-airbaltic-buy|title=New investor completes airBaltic buy-in &#124; Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com|accessdate=21 December 2022}}</ref> Following the closure of [[Air Lituanica]] and [[Estonian Air]] respectively in June and November 2015, and [[Nordic Aviation Group|Nordica]] in November 2024, it is the only flag carrier in the [[Baltic countries]].

The [[Bombardier CS300]] delivery was much anticipated by airBaltic since this new aircraft type was originally planned to replace most of the airline's Boeing 737-300s and Boeing 737-500s and would replace all by 2020. The delivery of the CS300 happened on 29 November 2016, at 2 am ET. On 28 November, Bombardier and airBaltic held a ceremony in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada for the first delivery of the CS300. At 1:30 am, shortly before the scheduled departure, an oil leak from an engine was spotted. It delayed the departure, but at 2:23 am ET, the aircraft was now airBaltic's property. On board the inaugural flight, there were 18 people, including 6 pilots: 3 from Bombardier, and 3 from airBaltic. At 4:13 am ET, after a delay of over 2 hours, flight BT9801 took off en route to Stockholm. The airline received two CS300 in 2016 and expects to receive six in 2017, eight in 2018 and four more in 2020.<ref name="CS300_021216">{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=125920|title=Latvia's airBaltic will gradually renew fleet with Bombardier CS300 aircraft (Dec 2, 2016)|publisher=The Baltic Course|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref>

airBaltic was looking for opportunities to replace its [[Bombardier Dash 8|Q400]] turboprop fleet, and Bombardier and [[Embraer]] were viewed as potential future aircraft suppliers, with possible deliveries of 14 new aircraft beginning in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airlines-iata-airbaltic/airbaltic-eyes-order-for-at-least-14-jets-idUSKBN18W2PN|title=airBaltic eyes order for at least 14 jets|date=5 June 2017|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> On 26 September 2017, airBaltic announced it would buy at least 14 additional [[Airbus A220|CSeries]] aircraft from Bombardier before the end of 2018; it planned to switch to an all-CSeries fleet by the early 2020s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-27/bombardier-nears-1-25-billion-c-series-jet-deal-with-air-baltic|title=Bombardier Nears $1.25 Billion C Series Deal With Air Baltic|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=27 September 2017|via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> Additional orders by airBaltic were announced by Bombardier on 28 May 2018 and included 30 CS300 with options and purchase rights for a further 30 CS300.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com/airbaltic-orders-up-to-60-bombardier-cs300-aircraft/|title=Media - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft|website=news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com|access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="LSM-May2018">{{cite news|title=Commission official: airBaltic likely to find investor soon|url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/commission-official-airbaltic-likely-to-find-investor-soon.a280055/|access-date=30 May 2018|publisher=[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]]|agency=LETA|date=30 May 2018}}</ref> [[Airbus]] purchased a 50.01% majority stake in the CSeries program in October 2017, with the deal closing in July 2018; the aircraft family was subsequently renamed the [[Airbus A220]].

airBaltic temporarily suspended operations on 17 March 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]],<ref name="ERRflightsuspend">{{cite news |title=airBaltic temporarily suspends all flights from March 17 |url=https://news.err.ee/1064186/airbaltic-temporarily-suspends-all-flights-from-march-17 |access-date=16 March 2020 |work=[[Eesti Rahvusringhääling]] |agency=[[Baltic News Service]] |date=16 March 2020}}</ref> and flights only restarted on a limited basis from 18 May 2020.<ref name="Restart">{{cite web|url=https://www.airbaltic.com/en/airbaltic-restarts-flights-from-riga-to-tallinn-and-vilnius|title=airBaltic restarts flights from Riga to Tallinn and Vilnius|date=14 May 2020|publisher=airBaltic|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref>

On 14 December 2021, airBaltic announced that its first secondary hub outside of the Baltic countries will be founded in [[Tampere–Pirkkala Airport]] in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airbaltic.com/en/airbaltic-opens-a-new-base-in-tampere|title=airBaltic opens a new base in Tampere|date=14 Dec 2021|publisher=airBaltic|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> In June 2023, airBaltic announced that it would establish a new seasonal base at [[Gran Canaria Airport]], with two aircraft to be stationed there for the forthcoming winter season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harper |first1=Lewis |title=airBaltic to open winter base in Gran Canaria |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/air-baltic-to-open-winter-base-in-gran-canaria/153693.article |work=Flight Global |date=14 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

airBaltic began [[wet leasing]] its aircraft to other carriers in 2022, predominantly to [[Swiss International Air Lines|Swiss]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} In 2023, it was approved for "long-term and unlimited wet leasing within the [[Lufthansa Group]]."<ref name="Results2023">{{Cite web |date=5 March 2024 |title="airBaltic Sustainability and Annual Report 2023 ENG" |url=https://www.airbaltic.com/sustainability/report/2023/Sustainability-and-Annual-Report-2023.pdf |access-date=7 March 2024 |publisher=airBaltic}}</ref> As of December 2023, airBaltic currently operates certain flights for Swiss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swiss International Air Lines |url=https://swiss.com |website=}}{{full citation needed|date=January 2024}}</ref>

After the pandemic, airBaltic unveiled a range of upgrades focused on enhancing the experience for its clients. In 2022, airBaltic debuted the Planies [[NFT]] collection, offering perks towards the airBaltic Club loyalty program.<ref>[https://planiesnft.com/ airBaltic Club loyalty programme]</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=an innovative loyalty experience | website=airBaltic | url=https://www.airbaltic.com/en/planies-nft | access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref> Then, in 2023, airBaltic forged a partnership with [[Starlink]] to offer unrestricted complimentary in-flight [[Wi-Fi]] in their routes, marking a pioneering move in Europe's aviation industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=airBaltic To Introduce Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Across Entire Fleet |url=https://travelspill.com/news/airbaltic-free-in-flight-wi-fi-spacex-starlink-681/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=Travel Spill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=airBaltic to equip entire fleet with SpaceX's Starlink |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/business/aviation/airbaltic-to-equip-entire-fleet-with-spacexs-starlink-czcwy7gy |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Zawya |date=12 January 2023}}</ref> Installation of the service commenced in 2023 and will be finalised by 2025.<ref name="Results2023" />

In November 2023, airBaltic announced that [[Delta Air Lines]] would begin codesharing 20 routes to their bases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hemmerdinger2023-07-27T17:24:00+01:00 |first=Jon |title=US government approves Delta-airBaltic codeshare deal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/networks/us-government-approves-delta-air-baltic-codeshare-deal/154327.article |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2025, airBaltic announced that it was facing disruptions due to Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance delays on its A220 fleet. The airline suspended 19 routes, reduced frequencies on 21 others and cancelled 4,670 flights, affecting 67,160 passengers. Despite these challenges and capacity constraints due to the wet-leasing of almost half of its fleet to the Lufthansa Group, airBaltic still maintains over 70 destinations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newsroom - Company {{!}} airBaltic |url=https://company.airbaltic.com/en/newsroom?press=2025/airbaltic-forced-to-cancel-flights-due-to-engine-maintenance-delays |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Company Page |language=en}}</ref>

On 29 January 2025, The Ministry of Transport of Latvia, airBaltic, and [[Lufthansa Group]] announced the signing of an agreement for Lufthansa Group to invest EUR 14 million in airBaltic for a minority stake, and Supervisory Board seat. In return for its investment, Lufthansa Group will receive a convertible share granting a 10% stake, which will be issued at a subscription price of EUR 14 million and converted into ordinary shares upon a potential [[Initial public offering|IPO]] of airBaltic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newsroom - Company {{!}} airBaltic |url=https://company.airbaltic.com/en/newsroom?press=2025/lufthansa-group-acquires-minority-stake-in-airbaltic |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Company Page |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 April 2025, Martin Gauss was ousted as CEO due to a lack of trust from the Latvian government. Taking over as interim CEO is former COO Pauls Cālītis,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hepher |first1=Tim |last2=Plucinska |first2=Joanna |title=Outgoing AirBaltic CEO hits out at 'nasty' handling of his ouster |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbaltic-ceo-martin-gauss-steps-down-2025-04-07/ |work=Reuters |date=7 April 2025}}</ref> who started his career at Air Baltic 30 years ago, also as a pilot.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=airBaltic |number=1909236167834300750 |title=As of today, April 7, 2025, Pauls Cālītis, current Management Board Member and Chief Operations Officer, assumes the duties of Interim Chief Executive Officer}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2025}}