airBaltic (BT, Riga) has wet-leased four aircraft from four different airlines through May 31, 2023, to cover for its in-house A220-300s grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, the national LETA news agency has reported.

The Latvian carrier has so far sourced the following aircraft:

As of March 28, only the A320 operated by DAT LT had begun flying under airBaltic's 'BT' code.

"The extended turnaround times for Pratt & Whitney servicing the engines are causing an operational disruption to airBaltic. They, as a long-term partner of airBaltic, could not keep their given promise again on improved turnaround times. Therefore, airBaltic is contracting replacement capacity in the form of ACMI wet-lease aircraft. While we understand that this is an unfortunate situation, we remain optimistic that it will be resolved soon. Moreover, some of the wet-leased aircraft offer even more seats, allowing us to carry a greater number of passengers," Chief Executive Martin Gauss said.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows that airBaltic's in-house fleet comprises thirty-nine A220-300s, of which ten are currently inactive. The carrier had committed fourteen of its aircraft under long-term wet leases to other carriers during the Summer 2023 season. The new ad-hoc wet leases of aircraft covering the Pratt & Whitney engine issues are separate from the previously announced contract for four A320-200s from Avion Express Malta (4X, Malta International) to increase its capacity during the peak season.