Air Baltic cancels flights due to Engine Maintenance Delays

Air Baltic Cancels Flights Due to Pratt & Whitney Engine Maintenance Delays

Air Baltic, the Latvian national airline, has announced significant flight cancellations for the upcoming summer season, attributing the disruptions to delays in engine maintenance by Pratt & Whitney.The airline operates a fleet of 49 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, all powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. 

Scope of Cancellations

The maintenance delays have compelled Air Baltic to cancel approximately 4,670 flights, representing about 5% of its planned schedule.This decision affects 19 routes, which will be suspended entirely, and reduces flight frequencies on 21 additional routes.An estimated 67,160 passengers are expected to be impacted by these changes.

Airline's Response

Air Baltic has expressed frustration with Pratt & Whitney's inability to meet maintenance deadlines, stating that the engine manufacturer's shortcomings have adversely affected the operational capacity of their Airbus A220-300 fleet.The airline emphasized that these schedule adjustments were made proactively to minimize disruptions during the peak travel season. 

Wet-Lease Operations with Lufthansa Group

Despite these challenges, Air Baltic plans to fulfill its wet-lease commitments to the Lufthansa Group.In the summer of 2025, the airline is scheduled to operate 21 aircraft on behalf of Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines, marking an increase of four aircraft compared to 2024.Air Baltic has affirmed its intention to honor these long-term contractual obligations. 

Industry-Wide Impact

Air Baltic is not alone in facing issues related to Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance delays.Other airlines, including Wizz Air, have also reported grounding aircraft due to similar problems.These widespread maintenance delays have led to operational disruptions across multiple carriers. 