Greece Plus Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Austria: airBaltic’s Summer 2026 Network Expansion to Reshape European Holiday Before Christmas and New Year

Published on December 18, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Latvia’s flag carrier airBaltic has confirmed a major expansion of its Summer 2026 flight schedule, extending service across Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Austria. The expanded network, published on the airline’s official newsroom site, introduces ten new destinations and increases seat capacity on more than 30 existing routes from the Baltic capitals Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia) and Vilnius (Lithuania).

The planned enhancements are scheduled to operate between late March and late October 2026, a period that captures peak summer and pre‑winter holiday travel windows. The growth in routes and frequencies is positioned to impact European and international travel demand patterns before Christmas and New Year.

This expanded schedule comes as official tourism guides highlight the Baltics and Greece as key draws for cultural, city, and seasonal travel, and as airlines gear up for a highly competitive winter booking season.

What’s New: Routes and Schedule Growth for Summer 2026

New Scheduled Destinations for Summer 2026

The following table summarizes the new routes airBaltic is launching for its Summer 2026 season from the Baltic capitals.

Summary sourced from official airBaltic network announcements and industry coverage.

Reinstated Routes Returning for Summer 2026

These routes had been suspended previously and will return to service for Summer 2026.

Frequency Increases on 30 Existing Routes

airBaltic will significantly increase seat availability across its busiest European and regional markets:

• Riga (Latvia): 12% growth in seat capacity, ~400,000 additional seats.
• Tallinn (Estonia): 11% capacity increase, ~90,000 extra seats.
• Vilnius, Palanga, Kaunas (Lithuania): 21% growth, ~150,000 additional seats across the region.

Higher frequencies are planned to destinations such as Berlin (Germany), Munich (Germany), Paris (France), Nice (France), Malaga (Spain), and Tbilisi (Georgia), improving connectivity and flexibility for travelers.

Why This Expansion Matters

Enhanced Baltic‑Mediterranean Connectivity

The inclusion of Greece – specifically Athens via Tallinn – connects Mediterranean cultural centers with the Baltic region more directly than ever before, facilitating two‑way travel between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Greece.

Official data show that Latvia’s tourism sector highlights winter cultural experiences and holiday events in Riga, while Greece continues to be one of Europe’s most visited destinations for history, beaches, and family travel.

This route network expansion influences pre‑holiday booking patterns, as travelers begin reserving flights ahead of Christmas and New Year 2026–27 to secure preferred travel dates and connections across Europe.

Official Tourism Context: Baltic and Greek Attractions

Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania: Growing Holiday Appeal

According to the official Latvia.travel tourism portal, visitors are encouraged to explore city culture, nature adventure, and winter markets that extend well into the Christmas period, positioning the Baltics as attractive holiday travel destinations beyond summer.

Estonia and Lithuania also offer a mix of historical city breaks and nature experiences that appeal to families and couples planning holiday breaks before year‑end.

Greece: Mediterranean Winter and Cultural Tourism

With direct links like Tallinn–Athens, Greece’s capital becomes more accessible for Baltic travelers interested in winter sun, ancient history, festive markets, and Mediterranean culture during the Christmas and New Year travel season. Official flight booking pages show affordable options for Tallinn–Athens travel, signaling strong seasonal demand.

Impact on Holiday Travel: Christmas and New Year 2026–27

Boost to Winter Bookings

The announcement of expanded destinations and increased frequencies ahead of the holiday season is likely to accelerate early bookings for Christmas and New Year travel. By introducing new Mediterranean and major European city connections, airBaltic is broadening options for travelers seeking:

• City breaks in Athens, Vienna, and Hamburg
• Winter sun escapes in Antalya and other southern destinations
• Family holiday travel options connecting Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the Baltic capitals

These expanded services directly influence peak period travel planning, with early booking surges often seen as travelers seek better pricing and availability for flights scheduled for late December and early January.

Economic and Tourism Impact Across Regions

Baltic Capitals and Regional Economies

Increased flight frequencies and new routes are expected to:

• Support tourism growth in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, drawing more international visitors.
• Expand travel corridors for business and leisure travelers, encouraging longer stays and higher economic impact per visitor.
• Strengthen inter‑regional tourism products linking multiple Baltic capitals in one itinerary.

Greece and Mediterranean Travel Growth

The direct links to Greek destinations before winter vacation season are expected to:

• Drive greater winter cultural tourism in Athens and surrounding regions.
• Encourage Baltic vacationers to combine winter city and holiday escape travel.
• Stimulate hospitality and local service sectors during a period that traditionally sees increased travel spending.

Looking Ahead: Connectivity and Market Positioning

airBaltic’s expansion reflects a broader strategy to position itself as a central European connector between Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. With over 110 planned routes in Summer 2026, the airline’s network is one of Europe’s most extensive regional offerings, significantly influencing travel flows across multiple countries.

The airline’s route map now not only serves traditional Baltic travel corridors but also offers year‑round options that support holiday travel peaks, early winter cultural breaks, and business travel, broadening its appeal for varied traveler segments.

A New Era of European Travel Connectivity

airBaltic’s Summer 2026 expansion – covering Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Austria – marks a major development in regional aviation. With more routes, increased capacities, and broader connectivity, the airline is poised to shape holiday travel behavior, particularly as demand intensifies heading into Christmas and New Year 2026–27.

As official tourism sites for Latvia and flight data for Greece highlight attractive travel experiences year‑round, this expansion positions Baltic and Mediterranean cities as complementary travel destinations for international tourists. Enhanced connectivity also strengthens economic linkages across Europe, supporting growth in aviation, hospitality, and seasonal tourism markets.