newstodate.aero
Sep 19, 2011 (newstodate): The uncertainty around Latvia's national carrier airBaltic is mounting as the company is now seemingly communicating from Germany, the home of Bertolt Flick, its CEO, and not from its corporate headquarters in Riga.
Thus, media now quotes Mr Flick from Germany for announcing the lay-off of some 50 employees, or half the current work force, in connection with the withdrawal of the Fokker 50 from this winter's schedule.
The decision will lead to significant cuts in the route network and frequencies.
The retirement of the Fokker 50 fleet was announced already earlier this year, but the assumption was that this was to be connected to the ordering of new aircraft including more Bombardier Q400 and longer-range aircraft like Boeing 737NG or Airbus A320 aircraft.
As the carrier is now deep in a life-threatening tug-of-war with the the Latvian state that has demanded the step-down of Mr Flick as airBaltic CEO as a precondition for assisting in relieving the debt burden on airBaltic, the Fokker fleet will be retired without any subsequent replacement or ordering of new aircraft.
Estimations are that airBaltic will cut up to 726 flights in November and 723 in December, if a solution is not found.
Latvia went to the election polls this Saturday, but it remains unclear if this has produced a new political environment more favorable to a solution to airBaltic's problems.
Thus, media now quotes Mr Flick from Germany for announcing the lay-off of some 50 employees, or half the current work force, in connection with the withdrawal of the Fokker 50 from this winter's schedule.
The decision will lead to significant cuts in the route network and frequencies.
The retirement of the Fokker 50 fleet was announced already earlier this year, but the assumption was that this was to be connected to the ordering of new aircraft including more Bombardier Q400 and longer-range aircraft like Boeing 737NG or Airbus A320 aircraft.
As the carrier is now deep in a life-threatening tug-of-war with the the Latvian state that has demanded the step-down of Mr Flick as airBaltic CEO as a precondition for assisting in relieving the debt burden on airBaltic, the Fokker fleet will be retired without any subsequent replacement or ordering of new aircraft.
Estimations are that airBaltic will cut up to 726 flights in November and 723 in December, if a solution is not found.
Latvia went to the election polls this Saturday, but it remains unclear if this has produced a new political environment more favorable to a solution to airBaltic's problems.