airBaltic Receives Its 50th Airbus A220-300, Strengthening Its Position as Europe’s Largest Operator of the Model
The airline strengthens its position as the second-largest Airbus A220 operator worldwide.
airBaltic has taken delivery of its 50th Airbus A220-300, registered as YL-ABX, solidifying its status as the largest A220-300 operator in Europe. The aircraft departed Montreal-Mirabel Airport on February 12 at 19:51 local time and landed in Riga at 11:12 the following day.
The delivery ceremony was attended by 200 guests, including airBaltic employees, airport officials, media representatives, Latvian government officials, and the Canadian Ambassador to Latvia.
The aircraft features a special livery inspired by the Latvian flag, complemented by designs representing the three Baltic states—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The airline’s A220 fleet has an average age of 4.3 years.
A Major Milestone for airBaltic
Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic, highlighted the significance of this milestone:
"Eight years ago, we became the global launch operator of the Airbus A220-300, a game-changing aircraft for our operations. Today, as we welcome our 50th Airbus A220-300, we mark a major achievement—completing our initial order and moving closer to our goal of a single-type fleet of 100 aircraft by 2030. As we grow, expanding both our fleet and our horizons, we remain committed to innovation, efficiency, and strengthening our position as the leading Baltic airline."
A Livery Chosen by Passengers
In Q4 2023, airBaltic launched a global design contest for the special 50th A220 livery. The airline received 840 design submissions, and after 28,000 votes from airBaltic Club members, 21 finalists were shortlisted.
The winning design—securing over 30% of the votes—symbolizes Baltic heritage and national pride, making this aircraft a flying tribute to the region.
airBaltic’s Commitment to the Airbus A220-300
airBaltic became the global launch operator of the A220-300 in 2016, and since May 2020, it has operated an all-A220 fleet. To date, the airline has:
- Transported over 20 million passengers on the A220-300
- Completed more than 200,000 flights with the aircraft
The airline has placed an order for 90 A220-300s, aiming to replace its former Airbus A320ceo and Boeing 737 Classic fleets. Additionally, some airBaltic A220s are leased to Lufthansa Group airlines.
Expanding airBaltic’s Reach
The A220-300 has played a crucial role in airBaltic’s expansion, enabling it to:
- Grow its network to the Middle East, North Africa, and the Canary Islands
- Develop more point-to-point routes
- Strengthen its hub in Riga, as well as its bases in Vilnius, Tallinn, and Tampere
With this latest addition, airBaltic continues to reinforce its leadership in the A220 market, ensuring greater efficiency, connectivity, and a modern passenger experience across its network.
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