airBaltic Plans Up to 700 Job Reductions Under Restructuring Plan

airBaltic is preparing to reduce its workforce by approximately 500 to 700 positions as the Latvian carrier restructures its operations around a smaller fleet, more focused network and increased use of ACMI partnerships.

The potential reductions represent roughly 17% to 23% of airBaltic’s approximately 3,000 employees and could affect positions across its Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn bases. The airline has notified Latvia’s State Employment Agency of a planned collective redundancy process.

The final number of affected positions has not been determined. airBaltic is consulting with trade unions over potential reduced-workload arrangements for pilots and cabin crew, while a new organizational structure covering other parts of the business is expected to be defined by mid-October.

The workforce changes form part of airBaltic’s new business plan, which is intended to reduce its cost base and align the organization with a smaller future operating footprint. The plan also calls for a reduced Airbus A220-300 fleet and greater reliance on year-round ACMI partnerships.

Individual employee decisions have not yet been made, and airBaltic expects to provide staff with additional details during October.

The restructuring does not affect the airline’s current flight schedule, with existing services continuing as planned.