airBaltic to boost Ljubljana, launch Belgrade and end Dubrovnik

Latvia’s flag carrier airBaltic has unveiled its 2026 summer network, which includes adjustments to its operations across the former Yugoslav markets. The airline will boost frequencies on the Riga - Ljubljana service from two to three weekly at the start of the 2026 summer season, which begins on March 29. The carrier has also extended its new seasonal winter service between Las Palmas and the Slovenian capital. The weekly flights, which begin on October 25, were initially scheduled to conclude on March 27, but have now been extended until April 10. During the first half of the year, airBaltic handled 8.893 passengers on its Ljubljana operations, registering an average cabin load factor of 84.7% during the six-month period.

As reported earlier this week, airBaltic is restoring its two weekly service between Riga and Belgrade from May 1, 2026. It will mark the carrier’s third attempt on the route, having previously operated flights between 2009 and 2011 and again between 2023 and 2024. On the other hand, the airline is ending its seasonal two weekly flights between Riga and Dubrovnik. In recent years, airBaltic has reduced its operations to Croatia, ending flights from Tallinn and Vilnius to Dubrovnik, as well as from Riga to Rijeka. However, services to Split will remain unaffected, with flights from both Riga and Tallinn resuming next summer with the same frequencies as this year at two per week. The carrier’s two weekly Riga - Tivat service will also be restored next summer with the same number of flights.

Commenting on the carrier’s 2026 summer season operations, Thomas Ramdahl, airBaltic’s acting CEO, said, “Each season, we carefully evaluate the travel needs of our passengers and the overall market dynamics in the region. The additions and increases we are making for summer 2026 reflect our long-term commitment to strengthening connectivity of Latvia and overall Baltic States with the rest of the world. By offering more destinations and increased frequencies, we aim to provide travellers with greater convenience, flexibility and choice, while further supporting tourism, business, and economic development in Latvia and the entire region, and strengthening ties with Europe and beyond”. The airline has added nine routes to its network for next summer and increased frequencies on close to thirty routes. During the upcoming summer season, airBaltic will operate nearly 110 routes across all its bases, representing an approximately 7% increase compared to this summer.