Riga, February 2025 – A major milestone was celebrated today at RIX Riga Airport as Latvian national airline, airBaltic, welcomed its 50th Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marked with a stunning, special livery. The event was made even more memorable with a celebratory low-pass flight and was attended by over 200 guests, including airBaltic employees, airport staff, Latvian officials, partners, media representatives, and even Canada’s Ambassador to Latvia.

A Symbolic Design Celebrating the Baltic States

This 50th Airbus A220-300 (registration No. YL-ABX) features an artistic livery that pays tribute to Latvia and the broader Baltic region. The design, inspired by the Latvian flag, incorporates unique elements representing Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.

The striking artwork depicts a young woman soaring through the clouds, carrying the Latvian flag. Her long, flowing hair is adorned with a traditional wreath, and several symbolic features are incorporated into the design, such as a ladybug, a swallow, and a stork — all representing the region’s rich heritage and natural beauty.

A Milestone for airBaltic’s Growth

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, reflected on the company’s progress:
“Eight years ago, we became the global launch operator of the Airbus A220-300 – an aircraft that has transformed our operations. Today, as we welcome our 50th Airbus A220-300, it marks a major milestone, completing our initial order and bringing us halfway toward our goal of a single-type fleet of 100 aircraft by 2030. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to innovation, efficiency, and strengthening our position as the leading Baltic carrier.”

He also expressed pride in the airline’s connection to Riga:
“We are proud to celebrate this occasion at RIX Riga Airport – our home base and the gateway connecting the Baltics to the world. airBaltic is more than an airline; it is a symbol of Baltic aviation, known and appreciated globally. With this heritage in mind, our newest aircraft proudly showcases a livery reflecting the beauty and spirit of all three Baltic nations.”

Celebrating Latvian Ambition and Connectivity

Kaspars Briškens, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Latvia, emphasized the significance of airBaltic’s milestone:
“The arrival of airBaltic’s 50th Airbus A220-300 is not just a milestone for the airline but a testament to Latvia’s growing role in European aviation. This aircraft, with its striking Baltic-themed livery, symbolizes our region’s ambition, connectivity, and the strength of our national carrier. As airBaltic expands, RIX Riga Airport continues to evolve as a key hub, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, jobs, and sustainable growth in aviation.”

A Global Design Contest to Mark the Milestone

In late 2023, airBaltic launched a global livery design contest to find the perfect design for its milestone aircraft. The competition received 840 entries from all over the world, and over 28,000 votes were cast by airBaltic Club loyalty program members. The winning design, which represented the national and Baltic heritage, garnered over 30% of the votes. The final design was modified to meet the technical requirements for the aircraft, and the A220-300 will be joining the airBaltic fleet in February 2025.

Bringing the Design to Life

The painting of the aircraft’s new livery took 18 days to complete, with a total of 21 colors used in the design. For the first time, the Airbus A220 paintshop teams in Mirabel, Canada, employed a stencil overlay technique to layer the colors, giving the design its distinct and vibrant appearance.

airBaltic’s Journey with the A220-300

Since becoming the global launch operator for the Airbus A220-300 in late 2016, airBaltic has revolutionized its operations with this aircraft. The airline now operates a single-type fleet of A220-300 aircraft, and to date, over 20 million passengers have flown on them. The airBaltic A220-300s have completed over 200,000 flights and flown nearly 450,000 block hours.

This remarkable milestone serves as a testament to airBaltic’s commitment to growth, innovation, and its role in connecting the Baltic States to the world.

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