Latvia’s airBaltic Takes a New Step in Aviation Growth With 4,387 Flights and 474,000 Passengers in September 2026

Latvia’s national carrier, airBaltic, welcomed 474,000 passengers across its route network in September 2026, keeping passenger traffic steady compared with the same month in 2025. Despite unchanged passenger numbers, the airline expanded its flight operations, completing 4,387 flights, representing a 2.5% year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, airBaltic recorded a passenger load factor of 79.4%, down 1.6 percentage points from September 2025. The decline was mainly attributed to the airline’s increased seat capacity, which grew faster than passenger demand during the month. This indicates that while airBaltic operated more flights and offered additional seats, the proportion of available seats occupied by travellers was slightly lower than a year earlier.

The table presents the number of passengers carried and scheduled flights operated by airBaltic across the airline’s route
network.

During the first nine months of 2026, airBaltic welcomed 4,040,800 passengers across its route network, achieving a 3.5% increase compared with the same period in 2025. This marked a new milestone for the airline, setting its highest-ever passenger total for the January–September period. Flight operations also expanded, with the carrier completing 37,607 flights, representing 5.3% year-on-year growth.

As a leading airline serving the Baltic region, airBaltic plays an important role in connecting Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with destinations across Europe and beyond. Its international route network helps improve accessibility, allowing travellers to reach major cities, popular holiday destinations and important business centres. These connections strengthen the Baltic States’ position within the wider European aviation market.

The airline’s extensive network provides greater travel convenience for both leisure and business passengers. Holidaymakers benefit from access to a wide range of destinations, while corporate travellers can maintain essential links with international markets. By offering connections across different regions, airBaltic supports smoother journeys and creates more opportunities for people to travel between the Baltic States and other countries.

Beyond passenger transport, airBaltic contributes to the development of tourism across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. International air connections make the Baltic States more accessible to overseas visitors, helping attract tourists interested in cultural attractions, historic cities, natural landscapes and local experiences. Improved connectivity can also benefit hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other tourism-related businesses by supporting visitor spending and encouraging international travel.

The airline’s operations also support regional economic development, international trade and business connectivity. Reliable air services help businesses maintain relationships with overseas partners, explore new markets and strengthen commercial activities. At the same time, aviation connectivity supports employment opportunities and economic activity in sectors linked to tourism, hospitality and transport. Through its international network, airBaltic continues to contribute to the Baltic region’s accessibility, tourism potential and wider economic growth.