Latvian regional carrier airBaltic has cancelled 4,670 flights from all its bases for the summer 2025 season as a result of unexpected delays and prolonged engine maintenance by its supplier, Pratt & Whitney.
The airline said in a statement: “The engine manufacturer’s inability to meet its timely maintenance obligations has impacted the operational capabilities of airBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 fleet.”
Pratt & Whitney has told airBaltic that several of its aircraft will remain grounded into 2025 due to an engine shortage. Consequently, the airline will cancel 19 routes and reduce frequencies on 21 others across its bases. In total, 4,670 flights will be cancelled, affecting an estimated 67,160 passengers.
Despite these challenges, airBaltic will continue operating flights to over 70 destinations across Europe and beyond.
“Like many other airlines worldwide, airBaltic has been facing external factors beyond its control, including global supply chain issues and maintenance constraints,” said an airBaltic spokesperson. “We deeply regret the disruption caused by these forced cancellations and remain fully committed to supporting affected customers through rebooking options or full refunds as needed. Minimising disruption and maintaining reliable service remain top priorities for airBaltic.”
Pratt & Whitney told LARA that it was “continuing to work through industry supply chain challenges”.
“Pratt & Whitney is focused on increasing MRO capacity and output while we are proactively taking steps to reduce unscheduled engine removals and are working with our customers to bring solutions, including spare engines, to increase aircraft availability. The PW1500G engine has delivered step changes in sustainability and fuel efficiency to the small single-aisle market, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions [by] up to 25% per seat, NOx emissions [by] up to 50% and noise footprint [by] up to 75% compared to previous generation technology,” said a spokesperson.
airBaltic customers are advised to check their reservations via the “Manage My Booking” section on airBaltic.com, where they can select alternative flights or request a full refund.
The news comes after other airlines were forced to cancel operations at the end of last year due to MRO issues.
Air India cancelled around 60 flights to the United States between November and the end of December due to maintenance delays with its Boeing 777 and 787 fleet.
In December, British Airways scrapped its flights to Abu Dhabi due to delays in Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and part deliveries.
The growing MRO crisis prompted Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association last month to call upon providers to “sort out their issues and keep their promises” to airlines.
airBaltic has cancelled thousands of flights due to MRO issues.
