airBaltic (BT, Riga) is to be privatized again with the Latvian government putting a 49.99% stake in the carrier up for sale with expressions of interest from potential bidders due until November 1. The Latvian government currently holds 99.8% of the shares in Air Baltic after having to acquire a similar minority stake from Baltijas Aviacijas Sistemas in November 2011 when Air Baltic had been forced to file for bankruptcy protection. In other news, Air Baltic now plans to continue to operate two Fokker 50s until the end of the IATA summer timetable period in March 2013.