airBaltic representatives said that global supply chain problems have also affected the availability of specific spare parts for airBaltic aircraft. Currently, seven of the aircraft in the fleet need various missing spare parts.
At present, it is impossible to predict a specific time when they will be able to fully join the fleet, as it depends on the speed of production and delivery of spare parts. There may also be aircraft at the same time that need to undergo the planned technical work and inspections, which may also affect the availability of aircraft and the planning of further flights, airBaltic representatives explain.
In order to ensure the planned flight schedule, airBaltic has currently leased a few additional aircraft on a short-term basis. The airBaltic representatives emphasize that every effort is being made by the airline to enable all airBaltic to operate all its flights with Airbus A220-300 aircraft as soon as possible.
There are no plans to cancel flights in the coming months – July and August, but starting from September this year, changes will be made on various airBaltic routes. Direct flights from Vilnius to Hamburg, Dublin, London (Gatwick Airport) and Oslo will be suspended, and flights from Riga to Edinburgh, Manchester and Stavanger will be suspended.
According to airBaltic, this is only a temporary change and airBaltic aims to return to its previous winter scheduling schedule as soon as possible. All passengers who will be affected by the flight changes will be contacted individually by the airline to inform them of alternative travel options.