newstodate.aero
May 23, 2011 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier airBaltic has ambitions for a significant modernization and expansion of its aircraft fleet - but the decision process is still on hold.
The carrier's current fleet comprises 34 aircraft of five types including eight Boeing 737-300, six Boeing 737-500, two Boeing 757-200, eight Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 and 10 Fokker 50.
airBaltic plans to have 38 aircraft in fleet in 2012, growing to 40 in 2013, 42 in 2014, 45 in 2015, and 46 in 2016.
No details on coming acquisitions of new aircraft have yet been published, and the process is put on hold pending the forthcoming decision on the future ownership structure of the carrier.
-It is obvious that acquisition of new aircraft is a major financial strain that will require a broader capital basis through opening up for new shareholders. We expect the decision in this issue soon but the process in the hands of the politicians and outside our hands, says Bertolt Flick, airBaltic President & CEO.
Talking to the press at last week's North Hub Riga Conference, Mr Flick said that the phasing out of the two Boeing 757-200 aircraft will come first as a precondition for not ending up with an even more complex fleet structure of seven aircraft types.
It is also known that the 10 Fokker 50 aircraft are to be phased out no later than 2013.
In 2010 airBaltic's VP Corporate Communications, Janis Vanags told newstodate that the carrier planned to place orders for up to 30 new narrow-body aircraft to replace our current fleet of Boeing 737-500, Boeing 737-300 and 757-200 aircraft.
-The choice will obviously be between Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320 Family aircraft, but we will definitely go for a single aircraft type fleet to be acquired by a mix of operating and financial lease contracts, he said.
airBaltic is also expected to expand its fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft, probably awaiting the launch of the manufacturer's Q400X stretched version of the aircraft, from 70-78 to 90-100 seats.
The carrier's current fleet comprises 34 aircraft of five types including eight Boeing 737-300, six Boeing 737-500, two Boeing 757-200, eight Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 and 10 Fokker 50.
airBaltic plans to have 38 aircraft in fleet in 2012, growing to 40 in 2013, 42 in 2014, 45 in 2015, and 46 in 2016.
No details on coming acquisitions of new aircraft have yet been published, and the process is put on hold pending the forthcoming decision on the future ownership structure of the carrier.
-It is obvious that acquisition of new aircraft is a major financial strain that will require a broader capital basis through opening up for new shareholders. We expect the decision in this issue soon but the process in the hands of the politicians and outside our hands, says Bertolt Flick, airBaltic President & CEO.
Talking to the press at last week's North Hub Riga Conference, Mr Flick said that the phasing out of the two Boeing 757-200 aircraft will come first as a precondition for not ending up with an even more complex fleet structure of seven aircraft types.
It is also known that the 10 Fokker 50 aircraft are to be phased out no later than 2013.
In 2010 airBaltic's VP Corporate Communications, Janis Vanags told newstodate that the carrier planned to place orders for up to 30 new narrow-body aircraft to replace our current fleet of Boeing 737-500, Boeing 737-300 and 757-200 aircraft.
-The choice will obviously be between Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320 Family aircraft, but we will definitely go for a single aircraft type fleet to be acquired by a mix of operating and financial lease contracts, he said.
airBaltic is also expected to expand its fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft, probably awaiting the launch of the manufacturer's Q400X stretched version of the aircraft, from 70-78 to 90-100 seats.