airBaltic to cut about 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew in savings drive

· Aviation · Latvia

airBaltic plans to cut around 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew as part of a new cost-savings drive. The Latvian Aviation Union is involved in the process, according to the report, which does not detail the terms of any consultation or the timeline for the reductions. The Latvian carrier has been pursuing efficiencies as it navigates a competitive European short-haul market. The scale of the cuts, roughly 300 crew positions, points to a meaningful reduction in operating capacity or a reworking of crew ratios. Staff reductions at a flag carrier can affect route schedules and labor relations, and the union's stance will shape how the process unfolds. The items give no financial figures on expected savings.

Why it matters：Crew cuts at a state-linked European carrier highlight how short-haul airlines are using labor costs to restore margins amid intense competition.

Key points

  • About 100 pilot and 200 cabin crew positions are affected.
  • The Latvian Aviation Union is involved in the process.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day