airBaltic (BT, Riga) has announced it has signed a longer-term wet-lease agreement with Lufthansa Group, under which it will operate up to six A220-300s during the summer season and four in winter, enabling "more balanced capacity allocation" in line with the airline's new business plan.
The agreement extends an existing partnership and forms part of airBaltic's revised business plan, as it prepares to reduce its fleet from 54 aircraft to 36 by 2027, concentrate on its more profitable routes, and improve its cost base.
The airline will also continue its wet-lease cooperation with Air Serbia, with four aircraft planned for the summer season and two for the winter season.
ACMI operations will continue to complement airBaltic's own scheduled network, the airline said.
Earlier, Lufthansa Group subsidiary Swiss announced it would stop wet leasing from airBaltic after the 2026/27 winter timetable.
airBaltic has asked the New York bankruptcy court for permission to terminate the operating leases of six A220-300s from Azorra from November 17, 2026, as part of its fleet-reduction programme.
airBaltic voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 financial restructuring in the US on September 14, 2026, seeking to address mounting debt and improve its financial position while continuing normal operations. The proceedings are being overseen by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The restructuring is expected to run until around June 2027.
Latvia owns 88.37% of airBaltic, while Lufthansa holds a 10% stake.
