Air Baltic Bombardier Q400-NG
Air Baltic
Air Baltic is the Latvian flag carrier airline and a low-cost carrier, with its head office on the grounds of Riga International Airport. Air Baltic operates 60 direct flights from Riga (some of which are seasonal).
Air Baltic Fleet(January 2017):
1 - Bombardier CS300;
5 - Boeing 737-500;
7 - Boeing 737-300;
12 - Bombardier Q400 NG;
Latvia's national airline airBaltic welcomed the world's first Bombardier CS300 aircraft in Riga 30.11.2016. Some pictures from the airbaltic's world's first CS300.
airBaltic fleet development
When airBaltic began operating in 1995, the airline had just one aircraft in its fleet. By 2020, the number of airBaltic passenger airplanes will have risen to 34.
1995/Saab SF340
airBaltic’s very first and very reliable Swedish-built turboprop with General Electric engines. Statistically, the SF340 remains the safest turboprop on the planet. Initially, airBaltic flew mostly to Scandinavian destinations, and the little Saab operated perfectly. The aircraft’s serial number was 340A-007
1996/Saab SF340/Avro RJ70
Avro RJ70; The last British-made jet airliner and the first one to serve airBaltic. Thanks to its high wing, large flaps and spoilers, and a superb airbrake, it did not need any thrust reversers after landing. The aircraft was capable of short takeoffs and landings and could conduct very steep approaches, allowing for tricky manoeuvres into and out of London City Airport in the UK as
well as at Paro Airport in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The latter landing site is situated fairly high up in the Himalayan mountain range and has a short runway, making it inaccessible to most traditional jets.
1998/Saab SF340/Avro RJ70/Fokker 50
Fokker 50;This European-built aircraft had reliable systems and dependable Pratt & Whitney engines. It served airBaltic for 15 years and was equipped with a spacious passenger cabin. The plane was an offshoot of the smaller Fokker F27 Friendship transport plane.
airBaltic fleet development
2003/Avro RJ70/Fokker 50/Boeing 737-500 and 737-300
Boeing 737-500 and 737-300; The 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time. airBaltic uses 12 out of the approximately 4,000 Boeing 737s that are scattered over
105 countries. Two such aircraft depart or arrive somewhere in the world every five seconds. The popularity of this model can be partially explained by its excellent safety record, long life cycle, large passenger payload and extensive cargo space. A 737 can take on twice as many passengers as an Avro RJ70, which allowed airBaltic to fully utilise Europe’s open skies following Latvia’s accession to the EU in 2004.
2008/Fokker 50/Boeing 737-500 and 737-300/Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757-200;This was the biggest and fastest airBaltic aircraft, with a capacity of 200 passengers. However, the 757’s performance and operational costs did not match the changing network development and increasing fuel prices at the time.
2010/Fokker 50/Boeing 737-500 and 737-300/Boeing 757-200/Bombardier Dash 8 Q400
Flying almost as fast as a Boeing jet, this model consumes only 0.02 kg per passenger per kilometre*, which makes it very environmentally friendly. Although the Dash 8 Q400 was already in use by many airlines around the world, its purchase was a special occasion for airBaltic, because it marked the airline’s first acquisition of brand-new aircraft. The Dash 8 Q400 is the world’s fastest turboprop and can fly 76 passengers.
airBaltic fleet development
2016/Boeing 737-500 and 737-300/Bombardier Dash 8 Q400/Bombardier CS300
airBaltic is modernising its fleet big time with the latest and greatest of current jet liners, making history by becoming the first commercial airline in the world to operate the CS300. The environmentally friendly aircraft uses less fuel than its counterparts, has quieter engines and is more comfortable for passengers. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight, along with the view, as the cabin windows are 26% larger than those in airBaltic’s Boeings.
2018 airBaltic Fleet
Boeing 737-300; Number of aircraft 6.
Boeing 737-500; Number of aircraft 5.
Bombardier Q400 NextGen; Number of aircraft 12.
Airbus A220-300; Number of aircraft 12.