AirBaltic Orders 30 A220-300s As Airbus Works On LCY Certification

DUBAI—With a new firm order for 30 Airbus A220-300s and purchase rights for a further 20, AirBaltic is positioned to grow its fleet to 100 of the type by 2030.

The Riga, Latvia-based carrier plans to expand its existing bases in the Baltics and the 127 routes it currently serves, but notes one limitation: London City Airport (LCY). The -300 variant of the A220 is not yet certified to fly into LCY, which has a steep approach and short runway.

“The aircraft is basically touching down at any airport in Europe on a daily basis,” said AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss, counting also its wet lease operations, after signing the latest order. “We fly anything the aircraft can fly. The -300’s only restriction we have is London City, because there they would take a -100.”

Joining AirBaltic to announce the order at the Dubai Airshow, Airbus confirmed it is trying to get the -300 certified for LCY. “We're constantly trying to improve the operability of the airplane,” Airbus CCO Christian Scherer said.

AirBaltic operates a fleet of 44 A220-300s and the most recent order brings its total firm orderbook to 80. It expects deliveries of the new order to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. “We’ll only fly with that type,” Gauss said. “This aircraft has made the difference for airBaltic, it has made our brand, it has pushed us to new heights.” 

While expressing a continued commitment to the aircraft type, he noted, “If we go beyond seven hours we will need a different aircraft.”

Dubai service from Riga is currently its furthest direct destination.

AirBaltic is one of the airlines affected by accelerated inspections of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines (GTF), and had an average of 11 grounded aircraft during the June quarter. All are expected to be back in service in November, Gauss said, though he anticipates being short of “a few engines” in 2024.

“We have been through a difficult summer,” Gauss added. “The engine is maturing and we wouldn’t place an order if we didn’t have full trust in the aircraft with the engine.”