NEWS FLASH
airBaltic will operate all flights between Brussels and Ljubljana on behalf of Brussels Airlines this coming summer season. Starting March 30, the Latvian carrier’s 148-seat A220-300s will be deployed on the route, until late October. Brussels Airlines currently maintains services to the Slovenian capital with a mix of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. The development comes after the Lufthansa Group, of which Brussels Airlines is a part of, extended its wet-lease partnership with airBaltic for an additional three years, starting in the summer of 2025. Under the agreement, airBaltic will dedicate 21 of its A220-300s in order to maintain flights on behalf of Lufthansa Group airlines. A wet-lease is a leasing arrangement whereby the lessor provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) to another airline.
Ljubljana will see Air Balitc on: Zurich , Brussels, Riga and Duseldorf flights
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's the base they were talking about :p
They will operate also for Eurowings? When I booked the ticket A319 was scheduled.
DeleteEurowings is leasing about 5 units as well yes
DeleteI know. Was thinking about using them for LJU :)
DeleteThat probably means decrease in capacity?
ReplyDeleteNot based on scheduled one: SN scheduled A319 with 141 seats, so no decrease. SN can still send A320 when needed, like LX does.
DeleteWe all know they will need the A320 in summer. Demand is crazy.
DeleteBravo Fraport!
ReplyDeleteAir Baltic is wet leasing 21 planes to Lufthansa Group!! Nuts.
ReplyDeleteWell, they do have 49 planes, and guess Riga is not exactly a transfer hub, so they somehow need to find a use for them
DeleteBetter to lease than to be grounded, in the end it is also model of business look at bulgarian airlines, marathon etc. Only solution for them to not lease would be probably to open base somewhere else but probably not in their business model
DeleteLove it! Good news keeps on rolling in.
ReplyDeleteAirBaltic lost a lot of its business with the Russian sanctions. Therefore, wet leasing is a means to keep it jets and crews earning cash. Not sure about revenue margins, but I would imagine AirBaltic is also pursuing charter work as well.
ReplyDeleteBT's finances are really not good. Makes you wonder at what cost they are leasing these planes to LHG. I am sure they are not paying much. BT needed to employ them somehow so that they don't sit parked in Riga.
DeleteI think BT will implode unless they fix their situation.
Not sure how long they will be around.
DeleteThey had a bond of some 200 Million Euros due in June with an interest of some 7% which they repaid by issuig another one on 350 million for almost 15%.
They hope to find a strategic partner, but just recently their Chairman of BoD said "time is not their ally" in finding one.
Latvia participates with more than 90% as an owner, so if this one kicks the bucket it is gonna be their tax payers who are gonna bi liable.
This is good, I have never like Brussels and Airbaltic has much better planes and service
ReplyDeleteinteresting
DeleteOnboard service is actually better from Brussels, as airBaltic doesn't have anything for free while Brussels at least gives you that tiny chocolate and water.
DeleteHowever, AirBaltic's planes are so much more comfortable that it doesn't matter
You will still get the same Brussels Airlines catering on these flights even though it is operated by airBaltic equipment.
Delete@anon 13.53 Brussels doesn't offer anything on board their flights for free.
DeleteMeaning West is going under, East is rising. The irony of the circle of life.
ReplyDeleteFor gate staff this is amazing (and pax too, no need to worry what will happen to your gatechecked bag), these 220 have so much space for cabin luggage its hilarious 😁
ReplyDelete