AirBaltic CEO ousted from Latvian carrier
April 8, 2025
Latvian flag carrier airBaltic has removed long-serving CEO Martin Gauss from his position, following a decision taken at the airline’s regular shareholders’ meeting on April 7.
The supervisory board approved changes to the company’s management board, resulting in Gauss stepping down after more than a decade at the helm of the airline.
The Latvian transport minister, Atis Švinka, wrote on X: “I inform you that Martins Gauss has been dismissed from his position. It is important for me to see the results. AirBaltic is a company of national importance, and it must be able to independently develop and adapt to external conditions.”
Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of airBaltic, said: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the entire airBaltic team, I extend our sincere gratitude to Martin Gauss for his leadership, dedication, and vision since 2011. For more than a decade, Martin Gauss guided the company through significant transformation and growth, laying a strong foundation for its future.
“At the same time, we maintain full confidence in the management board and the professional team, which ensures the company’s day-to-day operations, passenger services, and overall management. Our core objectives remain unchanged, and airBaltic continues to implement its strategy and move forward toward a potential IPO.”
As of April 7, Pauls Cālītis, a Management Board Member and the airline’s Chief Operations Officer, has taken over as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Vitolds Jakovļevs will remain in his post as Chief Financial Officer.
Cālītis said: “airBaltic continues its operations with unwavering commitment to achieving its strategic goals. The company’s operational performance will remain unaffected. Our team is strong and motivated, and we are fully prepared to ensure stability, continuity, and further development.”
Cālītis is a veteran of the airline, having joined airBaltic in 1995 as a pilot. Over his 30-year career, he has held a number of senior leadership positions, including oversight of flight operations, and was appointed Chief Operations Officer and a member of the Management Board in 2020.
The airline, which said its operations would remain unaffected by the leadership change. airBaltic, is majority owned by the Latvian state.
