Latvia’s airBaltic suspends all flight operations from March 17

Following the previously announced 400 staff reductions, airBaltic is now in further discussions with staff and unions on how the current health scare situation will affect the employment and the futures of its employees (airBaltic)

Following the Latvian government’s decision to tighten national security measures by suspending international air traffic to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), all airBaltic connections have now been temporarily suspended from March 17 until April 14, inclusive, including the airline’s operations from neighbouring countries Estonia and Lithuania.

“airBaltic is working intensively to assist all passengers affected. Due to the amount of re-bookings needed, we are asking for understanding from our customers that we are doing our utmost to deal with this extraordinary situation,” says Martin Gauss, airBaltic’s chief executive. All affected passengers will be contacted by e-mail, the airline states.

The Baltics’ largest carrier admits it is currently “working in a commercial crisis” and, since February 28, an action group called C19AG has been set up to evaluate the changing situation during this unprecedented crisis.

Immediately prior to the latest flight operations’ suspension announcement, the Riga-based airline had drastically decreased its overall capacity and reduced its fleet from a total of 38 to 22 operating aircraft, and was forced to cut back the number of its employees by up to 400 personnel.

Currently, airBaltic is in further discussions with its staff and unions on how the new situation will affect the employment and futures of the employees.