AirBaltic Pilot Academy Celebrates Success with Seven New Graduates Completing Rigorous Training and Welcomes the 25th Class

Published on January 15, 2025

Today marked a significant milestone for airBaltic’s Pilot Academy as seven students proudly graduated, earning their commercial pilot licenses after completing the comprehensive full-time airline transport pilot program. Meanwhile, a new chapter began for 16 aspiring aviators who have embarked on their professional pilot training journey as part of the 25th cohort.

The diverse group of graduates hailed from Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany, reflecting the international appeal of the program. The new batch of students further broadens this diversity, representing countries including Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Martin Gauss, CEO and President of airBaltic: “We are proud to congratulate the latest graduates of the Pilot Academy. Many of them are now preparing to take the next steps in their training, paving way to join the airBaltic team. The success of any airline relies on having skilled and highly trained professionals, and we are committed to fostering such talent.”

Gauss added, “We are equally excited to welcome the 25^th group of students as they begin their journey with us. Their dedication and passion will play a crucial role in supporting airBaltic’s ambitions to expand our fleet to 100 aircraft in the coming years. The addition of our second Airbus A220 simulator further confirms our commitment to providing advanced training resources, enabling to uphold the highest standards of safety and operational excellence as we continue to grow.”

Currently, the airBaltic Pilot Academy is home to 148 active students, predominantly from the Baltic region. However, its reputation has attracted learners from across Europe, including Denmark, France, Spain, and Italy. Notably, over 10% of the academy’s students are women, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender diversity in aviation. To date, 131 graduates have transitioned into successful careers with airBaltic, underscoring the academy’s pivotal role in shaping the airline’s talent pipeline.

Enhancing its training capabilities, airBaltic has recently taken a significant step forward by installing its second Airbus A220 full-flight simulator. This advanced simulator, located in Northern Europe, will provide up to 6,000 hours of annual training capacity, supporting both the airline’s growing fleet and the academy’s evolving curriculum. Designed to deliver state-of-the-art pilot training, the simulator facilitates essential programs like the Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) course and offers rental opportunities for other airlines, optimizing its utility.

With these two Airbus A220 simulators, airBaltic has solidified its position as a leading training hub in the region. By offering unparalleled resources and opportunities, the airline not only meets its operational demands but also invests in the next generation of aviation professionals, ensuring a robust future for the industry.