Strong growth for airBaltic’s training division
April 17, 2025
airBaltic Training, a subsidiary of Latvia’s national carrier, is actively addressing the ongoing pilot shortage having reported record-breaking growth and increased revenues in 2024.
With over 160 active students and a growing number of graduates—131 of whom have already joined the airline—airBaltic is strengthening its long-term workforce through its training academy.
Last year, airBaltic Training generated nearly €5.5 million in operating revenue, marking a 13% year-on-year increase and closed the year with a positive financial result of close to €190,000.
Describing 2024 as a “confident and successful year”, CEO Vilmantas Vaclovas Mazonas said: “We set records in pilot and simulator training, expanded our maintenance and technical education programmes and further strengthened our role as a leading training centre in the region.” He also noted that the airBaltic Pilot Academy and the Technical Academy are cornerstones for the company’s long-term growth.
More than 120 students trained on airBaltic Training’s fleet of 10 aircraft. logging a record 7,900 flight hours (an 80% increase on the previous year). Simulator training also achieved record success with 5,800 hours logged. A major milestone for the training school was the installation and certification of a second Airbus A220 full-flight simulator. In addition to boosting capacity for airBaltic pilots and external clients, this investment aligns with the airline’s plans to double its fleet of A220-300s from 50 to 100 aircraft by 2030.
The academy’s Part-147 certified maintenance training also saw impressive growth, delivering 45% more courses year-on-year. It also expanded capacity for entry-level prrogrammes for maintenance staff and continues its collaboration with Liepaja State Technical School enrolling 65 students in its aviation mechanics programme las September.
