Latvian airline airBaltic has placed an order with Airbus for 10 additional A220-300s, taking the airline’s total firm order to 90 A220 aircraft.

Already operating a fleet of close to 50 A220-300s, airBaltic is currently the largest A220 customer in Europe and the largest A220-300 operator in the world.

The Latvian flag carrier was the A220-300 launch customer in 2016, and since 2020 has operated an A220-exclusive fleet.

Martin Gauss, president and chief executive of airBaltic, said: “For the first time in the company’s history, airBaltic plans to operate a fleet of close to 100 A220-300 aircraft, and these exercised options are the next step in the right direction.

“Over the years, this aircraft type has proven its operational capabilities and value – it has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic.

“By exercising these options, we are strengthening our unwavering support and trust in the A220 Programme and are looking forward to our fleet expansion over the upcoming years.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales at Airbus Commercial Aircraft business, said: “This latest agreement from Latvia’s flag carrier is a strong endorsement of the superior value and operational opportunities offered by this latest generation aircraft.

“The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a spacious cabin driving the best Net Promoter Scores with passengers wherever it is operated, and the range capability to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s current network and beyond.”

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