Celebrating 30 Years: airBaltic Commemorates Its Founding Milestone

airBaltic, the Latvian airline, is set to commemorate its 30th anniversary on August 28, 2025, which marks the day it was officially established.

According to the airline’s announcement, a variety of special events and activities will take place in the coming weeks, culminating on October 1, 2025. This date will celebrate the anniversary of its inaugural flight in 1995, which connected Riga to Stockholm.

“airBaltic has become the leading carrier in the Baltics. This achievement rests on the shoulders of nearly 3,000 dedicated colleagues and the trust of millions of passengers over three decades,” remarked Pauls Cālītis, the Interim CEO of airBaltic.

As the airline marks this significant milestone, AeroTime highlights some key operational and strategic achievements that have shaped airBaltic’s journey.

Reflecting on airBaltic’s History

Founded on August 28, 1995, airBaltic emerged from a joint venture between the Latvian state and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Just a few weeks later, on October 1, 1995, it launched its first commercial flight from Riga to Stockholm using a 33-seat Saab SF340 aircraft.

In its three-decade existence, airBaltic has successfully transported over 65 million passengers and completed more than one million flights.

Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 50 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, providing connections across the Baltic region, Tampere, and seasonal flights to Gran Canaria. It serves over 80 destinations and manages approximately 130 routes spanning Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus.

In February 2025, airBaltic became the first European airline to introduce high-speed in-flight internet powered by SpaceX’s Starlink. It also welcomed its 50th Airbus A220-300, featuring a Baltic-themed design, and confirmed in July 2025 that the Lufthansa Group intends to acquire a minority stake in the airline in the upcoming quarter.

The airline has encountered leadership challenges as well. In April 2025, Martin Gauss, who had served as CEO for over 13 years, resigned due to a loss of confidence from airBaltic’s majority owner, the Latvian government.

On August 19, 2025, the company announced that Erno Hildén will take over as the new CEO, succeeding COO Pauls Cālītis, who served as interim leader for five months. Hildén’s official start date is December 1, 2025.