newstodate.aero
May 19, 2011 (newstodate): A forward-looking fleet plan is the most pressing issue for the Latvian carrier airBaltic at this stage.
-We need to replace the aging fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft as early as possible, but the process will probably start with phasing out the two Boeing 757-200 aircraft as any addition of a new aircraft type would mean adding the complexity, says Bertolt Flick, airBaltic President and CEO.
-Before we can move, we must however increase the financial basis for the carrier which depends on a government stand on changing the ownership structure.
-Whether this means adding more investors, or selling of state shares in the airline is a government decision. But new aircraft to replace the Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 fleet must be decided up soon, and the replacement program must start next year already, says Mr Flick.
-We need to replace the aging fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft as early as possible, but the process will probably start with phasing out the two Boeing 757-200 aircraft as any addition of a new aircraft type would mean adding the complexity, says Bertolt Flick, airBaltic President and CEO.
-Before we can move, we must however increase the financial basis for the carrier which depends on a government stand on changing the ownership structure.
-Whether this means adding more investors, or selling of state shares in the airline is a government decision. But new aircraft to replace the Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 fleet must be decided up soon, and the replacement program must start next year already, says Mr Flick.