The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) to operate code-share flights with United Airlines (UA) under the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement. This authorization permits airBaltic to display United Airlines’ UA* designator code on flights operated under wet lease agreements with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines.
The DOT approval includes conditions requiring notification before launching new code-share routes and adherence to U.S. aviation regulations, including FAA restrictions in certain airspaces.
Strengthened Partnerships
The partnership with United Airlines strengthens airBaltic’s alignment with the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance, providing the carrier access to larger markets and increasing its role in the global aviation network. By connecting its Baltic hubs in Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius to a broader array of destinations, airBaltic anticipates increased passenger traffic, particularly from the U.S., where United Airlines operates an extensive domestic and international network.
By integrating airBaltic’s network with Lufthansa’s hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna, airBaltic provides additional connectivity options for passengers traveling between Europe and the United States.
