airBaltic airline

airBaltic, legally incorporated as AS Air Baltic Corporation, is the flag carrier of Latvia and the primary airline serving the Baltic region. Established in 1995 through a joint venture between the Latvian state and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the airline was created to replace the insolvent national carrier Latavio. Over the decades, it has evolved into a hybrid carrier that combines the connectivity of traditional network airlines with the operational efficiency of low-cost carriers.

The airline's operations are centered at Riga International Airport in Latvia, with additional bases in Tallinn, Vilnius, and Tampere. airBaltic is notable for operating a single-type fleet consisting entirely of Airbus A220-300 aircraft, a move aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency and reducing maintenance complexity.

Ownership of airBaltic has significantly shifted over time; while it was founded as a public-private partnership, the Latvian government eventually took a commanding majority stake to ensure the airline's stability. As of 2026, the Latvian state remains the ultimate owner with a majority share of approximately 88%, while the Lufthansa Group holds a strategic minority stake of roughly 10%, reflecting a deepening partnership between the Baltic carrier and the German aviation giant.