The national airline of Latvia, AirBaltic, continues to showcase impressive performance, with a steady increase in passenger numbers and an expansion of its operations.
After the dynamic company broke its record with 8.3 million passengers in 2024, resuming flights to Israel on April 2 2025, it continues its growth trend into early 2025.
Passenger Record in 2024
In 2024, AirBaltic achieved a new record with 8.3 million passengers, reflecting passenger confidence in the company's services and the expansion of its destination network.
Continuous Growth in 2025
At the beginning of 2025, the company maintains its growth trend. In January 2025, AirBaltic recorded a 14% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year, with 327,500 passengers.
Fast Internet Services on Aircraft
Starting February 20, 2025, AirBaltic will be the first European airline to offer fast and free internet via SpaceX's Starlink technology on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The service allows passengers to participate in online meetings, watch movies, and stay connected during the flight.
Expansion of the Aircraft Fleet
The company continues to expand its fleet, with an order for 10 additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft, aiming to reach about 100 of this model by 2030. The new aircraft are expected to begin delivery in 2026.
International Recognition
AirBaltic has received international recognition for its services, receiving the APEX Four Star Major Airline Award for 2025, granted to airlines providing a quality travel experience. Only 8% of airlines worldwide meet these criteria.
It is worth noting that the capital of Latvia, Riga, marks another particularly successful year in tourism, with a significant increase in the number of foreign visitors.
In 2024, the number of foreign guests in hotels in the city reached 1.1 million – a 15.8% increase compared to the previous year, and tourism data from last December proved that it was the most successful month for tourism in the city since 2019, indicating that Riga has become a sought-after destination year-round.
Additionally, starting in the first quarter of 2025, AirBaltic began installing Starlink service across its entire fleet. This service will allow passengers to enjoy fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the flight, from takeoff to landing - without needing to log into an account, with no interruptions and no disturbances, ensuring a smooth and innovative browsing experience in the air.
This represents an upgrade for the world of commercial aviation, as Starlink technology relies on a satellite network providing fast and stable internet even at high altitudes.
The new service is expected to allow passengers to stay connected at all times during the flight, stream content, play online games, and conduct video calls - all at no additional cost.