newstodate.aero

Nov 14, 2023 (newstodate): Not unexpectedly, the Latvian carrier airBaltic has decided to exercise its options and purchase rights for another significant batch of Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
   At the ongoing Dubai Airshow, airBaltic inked a contract with Airbus for delivery of a further 30 Airbus A220-300 as well as options for another 20 aircraft, intending to bring the fleet to 100 aircraft by the end of 2030, making the airline the largest A220 customer in Europe, while it continues to be the largest A220-300 operator in the world.
   Next year, airBaltic will receive the last of the original order for 50 aircraft, and so far into 2023 the airline is operating 44 aircraft with the remaining six aircraft to be delivered in 2023 and 2024.
   airBaltic was the launch carrier of the Airbus A220-300, originally Bombardier CS300, with its first aircraft on scheduled flights from December 14, 2016.
   Earlier, speculations were that some of these options or purchase rights might potentially be converted into orders for the medium-size long-haul Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
   This is, however, not the case, airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss told newstodate on the sidelines of the  RAF2023 in Riga.
   -We are preparing for opening an IPO in 2024, and this requires a firm and verified business strategy already serving as the basis for our operations and financial planning.
   -This strategy builds on operating a single-type fleet, so exercising our existing options and purchase rights will concern a sustained growth of our Airbus A220-300 fleet only, provided the parties agree on procurement prices and delivery schedules, says Mr Gauss.
   -What comes after a successful change of ownership structure may open a new chapter and lead to a change of strategy - but this is not a topic today, Mr Gauss said.