SWISS, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, is examining alternative options for the Airbus A220-300 aircraft operated by airBaltic under a wet-lease agreement, following airBaltic’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. The Lufthansa Group subsidiary has assured that its current operations are not immediately at risk, but its chief financial officer, Dennis Weber, has acknowledged the need to develop a "plan B" due to airBaltic’s financial challenges. The Lufthansa Group holds a 10% stake in airBaltic, making the situation particularly complex. Since the winter of 2022, SWISS has operated a portion of its European flights using aircraft leased from airBaltic under a wet-lease arrangement, where the lessor provides not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the flights are marketed and operated under the SWISS brand. Initially intended as a temporary solution with six A220-300 aircraft, the partnership has grown over time. Currently, SWISS operates about 12 of these aircraft, painted in airBaltic’s signature lime green, as part of its fleet. The need for such leasing arises from SWISS’s own challenges, including a shortage of engines due to issues with the Pratt & Whitney GTF turbofan and a lack of available pilots. On September 14, 2026, airBaltic, which is majority-owned by the Latvian government, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court. This allows the company to restructure its debts while continuing to operate under judicial supervision. airBaltic secured a "debtor-in-possession" (DIP) financing commitment of 350 million euros at a rate of about 12%. A U.S. judge approved the company’s initial requests on September 16, releasing the first 140 million euros of the loan. As part of its restructuring, airBaltic plans to reduce its fleet of A220-300 aircraft from 54 to about 36 by the end of 2026, with a gradual increase to 40 units by 2031. This involves returning about 20 aircraft to their lessors and renegotiating leases on others. The company’s general manager, Erno Hildén, noted that the main operational change will be the reduction of wet-lease activity, which involves leasing aircraft and crews to other airlines for compensation. SWISS has expressed confidence in airBaltic’s current performance, though it is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with its partner.