Big milesstones for airBaltic as it welcomes its 50 millionth passenger and increases revenue threefold in the first half of 2022

Photo airBaltic

In the last few days the Latvian carrier airBaltic has reached two great milestones,  firstly, due to increased travel demand, the first six months of 2022 show a significantly increased revenue of EUR 191.5 million - that is  270% more than the same period last year. Also this week the airline welcomed its 50 millionth passenger! 

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “In comparison to the first six months of 2021, this year, we have seen a tremendous growth in both our passenger numbers and performed flights. We have recorded a strong summer, and our core mission for the future remains to be the main connectivity provider to and from our home cities of Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius and Tampere.  The net result in the first six months has been significantly impacted by a number of challenges, mainly the ongoing war in Ukraine, uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic, global supply chain issues, increasing fuel prices and more. These global challenges have affected airBaltic, respectively resulting in the group’s consolidated net loss of EUR 59.3 million in the first half of 2022,” 

During the first six months of 2022, airBaltic carried 1.3 million passengers or 299% more than during the same period last year. The number of performed flights increased 177% to 16 925 flights.

On Wednesday 31st August, airBaltic welcomed its 50 millionth passenger

The 50 millionth passenger to travel with airBaltic since the founding of the airline in 1995 was announced on Wedmesday as Dace Jonaite, who landed at the airline’s home base in Riga Airport on board Airbus 220-300 aircraft from Vienna, Austria.

Gauss said: “This is a significant milestone for airBaltic. We are delighted for almost 27 years in the skies and grateful to our passengers for choosing and trusting us with their travels. It means a lot to us and motivates us to strive even harder to be and remain the best connectivity provider to and from the Baltic region.”

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Photo airBaltic

Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport: “We are delighted to welcome the 50 millionth passenger of our national airline in Riga – at the home airport of airBaltic. Together, we have made Riga Airport the largest air hub in the Baltics, and we are ready for further joint goals, becoming an important air hub in the entire Northern European region.”

The milestone was celebrated during a special event held outside the airport with airport representatives, guests and employees, popular Latvian band Citi Zēni, the Latvian Eurovision 2022 contestant and of course, the lucky passenger.