newstodate.aero

Jun 06, 2023 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier airBaltic is close to signing a contract with Airbus for another batch of 30 Airbus A220 Family aircraft.
   In the fleet are today 42 Airbus A220-300 aircraft , and the fleet will reach 50 aircraft by early 2024.
   But after completing the deliveries under the current firm order, the carrier holds purchase rights for another batch of 30 aircraft, expected to be turned into firm orders.
   Earlier, airBaltic was expected to finalize the follow-up order after the completion of the planned IPO later this year, expanding the financial base of the carrier, but media now report that the order may be inked before the IPO at the forthcoming Paris Air Show.
   Speaking at this year's Routes Europe in Lodz, the airline's CEO Martin Gauss revealed plans for adding even 20 more aircraft to the fleet, eventually reaching a full 100 aircraft on the roster.
   Mr Gauss also revealed that 40 of the first 80 aircraft will be based in the Baltic countries; 26 aircraft will be put on the wet-lease market, and the remaining 14 aircraft will be based outside the Baltics, ostensibly at a coming new base in Northern Europe in parallel to the airline's first non-Baltic base at Tampere, Finland.
   In September 2022, the CEO also revealed dreams of entering the transatlantic market with direct flights to the USA with new larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
   -We are considering the acquisition of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft, although we also show interest in other smaller long-range aircraft on the market.  
   -The XLR program should be launched in 2025, which seems to be the right time to bring the Airbus A321XLR to Latvia, Mr Gauss told Simple Flying on the sidelines of the Farnborough Air Show.