airBaltic Appoints Interim CEO Amid Dispute
Latvian carrier airBaltic has made a significant leadership change following a recent shareholder meeting, with the company parting ways with long-time CEO Martin Gauss and appointing current Chief Commercial Officer Pauls Cālītis as interim CEO. The decision, confirmed in a press release on April 7, 2025, comes amid challenging circumstances that have drawn attention from both the government and industry observers. Despite the change in leadership, airBaltic reassured its passengers and stakeholders that daily operations will continue without interruption and that the airline remains a strategically important enterprise for Latvia, its majority shareholder.
The announcement highlighted the long and successful tenure of Martin Gauss, who had led airBaltic since 2011. Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the board and the entire airBaltic team for Gauss’s leadership, dedication, and vision over the past decade. Under his guidance, the airline underwent significant transformation and growth, building a strong foundation that is expected to support the carrier’s future ambitions, including progress toward a potential Initial Public Offering. Although his departure marks the end of an era, the board stated that it maintains full confidence in the management team and the professional workforce that has been integral to airBaltic’s success.
The leadership change follows a period of intense scrutiny that began in January 2025, when a dispute erupted between the Latvian government and airBaltic. The controversy was sparked by the cancellation of 4,670 flights for the airline’s summer season, a decision forced by maintenance issues affecting the Pratt & Whitney engines on its A220 fleet. Latvia’s Economics Minister, Viktors Valainis, publicly called for Gauss’s resignation, alleging that the government had lost confidence in the airline’s top management. This call for change was driven by concerns over operational reliability and the broader impact on the national economy.
In response to the recent disruptions and ensuing public debate, interim CEO Pauls Cālītis assured customers and stakeholders that airBaltic’s operational performance would remain unaffected. He emphasized that the company’s team is both strong and motivated, fully prepared to ensure stability, continuity, and further development despite the current challenges. Cālītis underscored that the airline is committed to maintaining national connectivity and contributing to the country’s economic growth, even as it navigates through a period of internal change.
A spokesperson for airBaltic further explained that the decision to transition leadership was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors and reflects the shareholders’ continued focus on developing the company, strengthening its competitiveness, and progressing toward a potential IPO. The move is intended to provide a clear path forward for the carrier as it addresses the concerns raised by recent operational challenges while building on the strong legacy established by Martin Gauss.
As airBaltic enters this new chapter under interim leadership, the company is determined to uphold its core objectives and strategic goals. The airline’s focus on maintaining high standards of service, ensuring operational excellence, and reinforcing its role as a key player in the Latvian aviation sector remains unchanged. With a committed team and a renewed vision for the future, airBaltic is poised to continue its growth trajectory and deliver on its promise of connecting communities across Latvia and beyond.
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