airBaltic has said that, in January 2023, the airline carried 246,800 passengers across 3,030 flights, representing significant growth from January 2022 when the airline carried 147,400 passengers across 2,480 flights. This is an increase of 67% in passengers, with only a 22% growth in airline flights.

airBaltic is an “airline of ambition”

As President and CEO of airBaltic Martin Gauss said in a statement,

This “favorable situation” also comes from a successful December 2022 growth of 288,900 passengers versus 178,000 guests in December 2021. That was a 62% year-on-year increase in demand with only 12% growth in flights.

With such a “strong position,” airBaltic pledges to continue its growth in multiple directions. As Gauss explains,

“The demand is stable and with an upward trend, which means that in 2023 we will continue to expand – in terms of fleet size, passengers carried, flights performed, destinations served, and employees recruited.”

IATA projections of recovery

Photo: Aaran Rice | Simple Flying

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently noted that Europe had enjoyed a traffic increase of 132.2% for 2022. IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, summarized this growth saying,

“The industry left 2022 in far stronger shape than it entered, as most governments lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions during the year and people took advantage of the restoration of their freedom to travel. This momentum is expected to continue in the New Year.”

Clearly, airBaltic's January 2023 growth is an indication of continuing momentum for the return of air travel in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

airBaltic expands with A220s replacing Dash 8-400s

Photo: Shutterstock

The growth momentum airBaltic is experiencing with increasing demand also translates into its fleet. The airline recently moved to a single-type fleet of 39 Airbus A320-300s, with more on the way. These aircraft have 145 seats and have replaced all the de Haviland of Canada Dash 8-400s it used to operate.

airBaltic now gains all the benefits of a one-type operation, with common parts and training as well as an airliner that has increased capacity. The move is similar to what Alaska Airlines’ regional subsidiary Horizon Air did last month, retiring its Dash 8-400s to go to a single fleet type, but instead with the Embraer 175.

Photo: Shutterstock

airBaltic has been flying A220s for six years, including the 100th A220, as pictured above. airBaltic is also the first carrier certified to conduct line and base maintenance. In a recent interview with Simple Flying, Gauss said the A220 delivers, “a cost reduction by flying a single fleet type,” while also praising the high efficiency of the jet.

With fuel efficiency turning out to be better than expected, the airline has been able to largely mitigate the increased cost of jetfuel over the past 12 months. Gauss noted that it is a crowd-pleasing airplane and a very pleasant ride, describing it as the “backbone” of airBaltic’s future.

airBaltic hopes to turn profitable in 2023. This will be the year before the airline lists on the stock exchange, so as Gauss stresses above, airBaltic needs to follow the business plan.

airBaltic growing routes and jobs

Photo: airBaltic

airBaltic is growing in other directions too, including adding new direct flights from Finland to Nice, France, and Milan, Italy. These flights from airBaltic’s Tampere, Finland base – known as the sauna capital of the world – will operate twice weekly, beginning on May 2 and May 4, respectively. airBaltic currently serves over 70 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

But the airBaltic growth goes beyond new routes. According to aviationjobs.me, the airline is hiring direct entry first officers to help fly its A220-300s. The airline does require 300 hours specifically on multi-engine jets with a maximum take off weight above 5.7 metric tons. The carrier is also hiring cabin crew, maintainers, and more.

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Source: aviationjobs.me