newstodate.aero

Nov 24, 2021 (newstodate): The first Airbus A220-300 aircraft for the Latvian carrier airBaltic with delivery in 2022 has now hit the final assembly line at the Canadian plant.
   Already operating a fleet of 32 aircraft with the latest delivery on October 2, 2021, airBaltic received seven units in 2021, and next year a further eight new Airbus A220-300 aircraft will enter Latvian registers.
   This will bring the fleet to 40 aircraft as part of the follow-up order for 50 aircraft, after which the airline still holds options for a further 30 aircraft with Airbus.
   In pace with the massive intake of new aircraft, the airline will recruit 120 pilots and 200 cabin crew members by summer 2022, primarily among former staff.
   The rehiring process started this autumn and will proceed in stages until the beginning of summer 2022.    
   Overall, airBaltic currently employs 1,366 people, including 200 pilots and 342 cabin crew.
   It now remains to be seen how airBaltic will grow its network beyond the seasonal post-Covid demand for leisure flights with low-fare traffic hardly securing profitability in the longer run.