The screen went down. SmartLynx. Photo: Shutterstock After more than 30 years in the aviation industry, Latvian airline SmartLynx Airlines has announced the cessation of its commercial operations. An official statement issued by the company stated that the decision was made after "thorough assessment of our situation and long-term outlook, and it was not taken lightly."
SmartLynx began as a small Latvian airline with "big dreams", and over the years has grown into an international aviation group that was identified with operational flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to market changes. The company operated primarily under ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) and charter models, flying passengers for various airlines worldwide.
The farewell announcement emphasized that the company was "built by its people," professional teams from around the world who took part in establishing new bases, operating seasonal routes, and flying passengers to diverse destinations for 33 years.
The company added that the "days and nights in the skies, flights all over the world, new bases opening, new teams forming, and lots of special stories" are all "moments that won’t be forgotten".
SmartLynx thanked its employees, business partners, customers, and friends over the years: "Thank you for believing in us, flying with us, and growing with us. Your trust and support have meant everything.
Despite the closure of commercial operations, the company ended its announcement on an emotional note: "SmartLynx may be closing its operations, but the spirit we built together will always fly."
In the meantime, the country's national airline, airBaltic, recently published its Q3 2025 financial results, reporting a return to profitability with net profit of €6 million and revenues of €244.7 million, a 3.7% increase from last year.