Job cuts announced for airBaltic staff

airBaltic, a Latvian airline under Chapter 11 protection, plans to eliminate approximately 100 pilot positions and 200 cabin crew positions as part of a restructuring accompanying the reduction of its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Individual notifications are expected to begin on October 31. The company cites the need to align its workforce with its 2027 flight schedule, while the Latvian aviation union challenges the transparency of the selection criteria.

Potential job losses across multiple roles

The restructuring could affect between 500 and 700 positions across its bases in Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius, including roles beyond pilots and cabin crew. The 300 affected crew positions are provisional and may change following the employee evaluation process. Some crew members have already left voluntarily, with some moving to Air Niugini for the operation of A220s and crew training.

Geographic distribution of job cuts

The reduction in pilot staff will affect all three Baltic bases, while the cabin crew reductions are concentrated in Riga, with Tallinn and Vilnius unaffected. Management explains this distribution by citing an excess of staff in Riga, while the other bases have staffing needs. Mobility opportunities will be offered when positions become available.

Criticism of selection process

The Latvian aviation union criticizes the lack of written criteria for employee rankings and challenges the use of internal evaluation and promotion lists, which it claims contain non-objective elements. The union requests meetings with airBaltic management and a suspension of individual notifications until the selection criteria and methodology are examined together.

airBaltic defends its selection process

airBaltic defends the selection process as a compromise resulting from consultations with two other trade unions. The criteria include seniority, professional qualifications, and the exercise of functions. The company states that the disagreements involve transparency and the reality of the consensus it claims to have achieved.

Future fleet and business strategy

airBaltic's new business plan aims to reduce its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft from 54 to 36 by the end of 2026, with a gradual increase to around 40 aircraft by 2031. The strategy focuses on a network more centered on Riga and enhances ACMI (aircraft with crew, maintenance, and insurance) leasing partnerships to better distribute aircraft use and limit seasonality effects.