Latvian airline airBaltic has officially launched its Technical Academy, welcoming its inaugural class of 57 students who are set to begin their training as professional aircraft technicians.

Martin Gauss, president and chief executive of airBaltic, emphasised the importance of this development for both the airline and the Baltic region. “Today marks a significant milestone as we inaugurate our new Technical Academy,” he said. “This initiative is designed to equip students with advanced technical education and practical skills, preparing them for a successful career in the aviation industry.”

The opening ceremony was held at airBaltic’s Concors Hangar, located at Riga Airport, and was attended by the newly enrolled students, their families, representatives from airBaltic, Riga Technical University (RTU), and Liepaja State Technical School (LVT).

Gauss highlighted the strategic importance of the academy, stating, “Skilled and well-trained professionals are the backbone of any successful airline. That’s why we are committed to investing in the continuous development of our team, ensuring that airBaltic remains at the forefront of technical excellence with the best professionals and cutting-edge technological solutions.”

The airBaltic Technical Academy, which operates from facilities in Riga and Liepaja, offers hands-on training specifically focused on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The academy is a key part of airBaltic’s ambitious goal to recruit and train nearly 400 new aviation maintenance professionals by 2030.

With three specialised programmes, the Technical Academy provides students with free education, the opportunity to balance work and studies, and guaranteed employment in a highly skilled profession upon completion.

airBaltic notes that the establishment of the Technical Academy further strengthens its internship and training collaborations with universities and is a valuable addition to its in-house technical training programmes for newly hired professionals.

The newly launched academy will complement airBaltic Training’s existing portfolio of educational programmes, which include the Pilot Academy, maintenance training, flight crew training, cabin crew training, ground personnel training, instructor training, and more.