airBaltic To Fly 100 Airbus A220s By 2029

airBaltic hopes to fly over 100 Airbus A220 aircraft by 2029 as part of a new bold forecast unveiled by the airline.

As part of the airline’s 2023 annual results, the company further discussed its plans with the Airbus A220.

2023 allowed the airline to order 30 A220-300s with purchase rights for 20. This order for up to 50 units helped align it with the primary objective of flying 100 of the type at some point in the future.

airBaltic says that this firm order will be delivered from 2026 onwards. The carrier also expects to venture down the leasing avenue to secure additional deliveries between 2025 and 2026.

By the end of 2023, the airline’s Airbus A220 fleet reached 46, a sizeable achievement that the airline highlighted in a PowerPoint presentation.

airBaltic also published its end-of-year fleet forecasting, highlighting the strong reliance on the Airbus A220 long into the future. The airline expects to operate 100 A220 aircraft by 2029 end of year, when it’ll take 16.

Meanwhile, in 2024, the airline expects to take on four new Airbus A220s, with the total reliance on the aircraft reaching 50. By 2025, this total will be 55, then 61 in 2026, 69 in 2027 and 2028 and 2029, a significant amount of A220s will be delivered.

Forecasting for aircraft deliveries remains a touchy subject as aircraft manufacturers battle supply chain difficulties. These difficulties cause Airbus to be unable to get aircraft away on time to their customers.

The Airbus A220 fleet will not only help ensure operational stability and fleet harmony, but the airline will also highlight how the single-aisle type will offer efficient operations. Moreover, the single fleet type will emphasize sustainability, which is a huge talking point industry-wide.

Some analysts argue putting all your eggs in one basket is risky. However, airBaltic is betting on the A220 as its shining light in the decades ahead and has invested significantly in the single-aisle program, even calling for an A220-500.