Distressed Latvian flag carrier airBaltic plans to lay off around 300 employees as it continues restructuring, according to the Latvian Aviation Union.
The union, which represents pilots, cabin crew, aircraft technicians, office staff, and other workers in Latvia’s airline sector, said airBaltic expects to cut around 100 pilots and 200 flight attendants. The LAU strongly opposes the move and said it has not received the carrier’s assessment criteria for which workers will be let go.
“These are people’s careers, livelihoods, and futures,” the union said. “Decisions affecting hundreds of aviation professionals must not be made through a process that lacks transparency and agreed rules.”
The LAU also called on the Latvian government to intervene in the process.
AirBaltic filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in September. It is facing serious financial headwinds from higher jet fuel prices and route disruptions caused by conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The carrier is continuing to operate its normal schedule while its bankruptcy case proceeds. It mainly serves destinations in Europe but also flies to North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and the Caucasus.
AirBaltic has secured a commitment for €350 million, or about $403.6 million, in debtor-in possession financing, which it said will be enough to support operations during the bankruptcy process.
