airBaltic Surges in 2024 but Faces Summer 2025 Flight Cuts
Latvian-based airBaltic has reported record-breaking performance in 2024, carrying 8.3 million passengers and completing 73,300 flights, according to a statement released on January 15, 2025. The airline’s data shows that it has not only exceeded its pre-pandemic figures but also reached an all-time high for passenger numbers in its history.
In a significant turnaround from 2023, when airBaltic carried 7 million passengers, the carrier has achieved an impressive 18% increase in total passengers this past year. Approximately 5.2 million of the 8.3 million travelers flew from its main bases, including Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere, and Gran Canaria—available seasonally. This boost in passenger traffic highlights the airline’s strong recovery in the wake of the pandemic and underlines the growing appeal of the Baltic region as a hub for international travel.
During December 2024 alone, airBaltic experienced a notable surge in activity, reporting that it carried 423,000 passengers—up 25% compared to the same period in the previous year—while operating 3,820 flights. The overall flight operations for the entire year reached a total of 73,300 flights. This figure includes Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) operations, which have risen from 65,500 flights in 2023. Not only did airBaltic increase the number of flights, but it also improved its performance metrics. The airline’s network flights totaled 47,000, showing a healthy 7% growth compared to last year.
A key indicator of airBaltic’s strong performance is the load factor, which measures how much of the airline’s available seating capacity is filled with passengers. In 2024, the load factor reached 81.2%, representing an increase of 4.5 percentage points year over year. This improvement indicates that more seats on each flight are occupied, thereby maximizing revenue and operational efficiency, and confirming the rising demand among passengers for travel with airBaltic.
However, despite the stellar performance in 2024, the beginning of 2025 has brought unexpected challenges. On January 2, 2025, the carrier announced the cancellation of 4,670 flights scheduled for the summer season of 2025. The cancellation plan affects 19 routes and includes reducing flight frequencies on 21 additional routes across its bases, impacting an estimated 67,160 passengers.
The root of these cancellations has been traced back to “unexpected delays and prolonged engine maintenance” issues with Pratt & Whitney, the supplier responsible for the maintenance of airBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 fleet. The inability of Pratt & Whitney to meet its timely maintenance obligations has disrupted operations, forcing airBaltic to take precautionary measures to manage its capacity and ensure safety.
These cancellations present a temporary setback for an airline that celebrated an 18% jump in passengers in 2024 and solidified its position as a key carrier in the Baltic region. With the positive growth observed last year, airBaltic is now tasked with managing the operational challenges posed by maintenance delays and adjusting its summer schedule to accommodate reduced flight frequencies.
Industry experts suggest that the situation underscores the importance of resilient supply chains and efficient maintenance schedules in sustaining an airline’s growth trajectory. While the record numbers from 2024 offer reasons for optimism, the cancellations for the summer of 2025 remind stakeholders that operational disruptions can impact even the strongest recovery trends.
As airBaltic navigates these challenges, the airline remains committed to maintaining high standards of safety and service. The coming months will be critical as the carrier works closely with its maintenance partners to resolve issues and recalibrate its summer operations. Ultimately, airBaltic’s 2024 performance lays a robust foundation for future growth, even as it faces short-term hurdles in the quest to keep its journey toward excellence on track.
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