airBaltic Cancels and Reschedules Flights as Customers Voice Anger; Airline Cites Rising Fuel Costs
Several airBaltic customers have received notices of cancelled or rescheduled flights and shared their frustration on social media. The airline says it is revising its route network and points to rising aviation fuel prices.
Passengers of the airline airBaltic have recently received emails about cancelled and rescheduled flights. Some customers have expressed their frustration on social media.
One traveller, named Liesma, was upset that a day earlier she had been offered a 40% discount on checked baggage for a February flight to Madeira, only to be told the next day that the outbound flight had been cancelled. She suggested the return leg might be cancelled soon as well. Another traveller asked why flights were being cancelled for tickets already purchased for both this year and next. In the comments under these posts, other people also said they had received similar notices.
The company's explanation
speaking to the portal TV3, airBaltic representatives said the company regularly reviews its route network and flight schedule in order to adjust capacity to passenger demand and current market conditions. Rising aviation fuel prices were named as one of the most significant factors, noticeably affecting the airline's operating costs.
Job cuts also planned
It has previously been reported that the company intends to lay off several hundred employees. Under the downsizing foreseen in its business plan, between 500 and 700 people could lose their jobs. The airline currently employs about 3,000 people, so roughly 20% of staff could be affected.
According to current forecasts, the changes could affect positions at airBaltic's bases in Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. The exact number of affected positions has not yet been determined and may change as the process unfolds.
