airBaltic (BT, Riga) has wet-leased four aircraft from four different airlines through May 31, 2023, to cover for its in-house A220-300s grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, the national LETA news agency has reported.
The Latvian carrier has so far sourced the following aircraft:
- A319-100 YR-ABA (msn 3041) operated by Carpatair (V3, Timisoara),
- A320-200 5B-DDQ (msn 4055) operated by Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca),
- A320-200 OY-RUH (msn 6749) operated by DAT (R6, Kaunas International), and
- CRJ900 operated by Xfly (Estonia) (EE, Tallinn Lennart Meri).
As of March 28, only the A320 operated by DAT LT had begun flying under airBaltic's 'BT' code.
"The extended turnaround times for Pratt & Whitney servicing the engines are causing an operational disruption to airBaltic. They, as a long-term partner of airBaltic, could not keep their given promise again on improved turnaround times. Therefore, airBaltic is contracting replacement capacity in the form of ACMI wet-lease aircraft. While we understand that this is an unfortunate situation, we remain optimistic that it will be resolved soon. Moreover, some of the wet-leased aircraft offer even more seats, allowing us to carry a greater number of passengers," Chief Executive Martin Gauss said.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that airBaltic's in-house fleet comprises thirty-nine A220-300s, of which ten are currently inactive. The carrier had committed fourteen of its aircraft under long-term wet leases to other carriers during the Summer 2023 season. The new ad-hoc wet leases of aircraft covering the Pratt & Whitney engine issues are separate from the previously announced contract for four A320-200s from Avion Express Malta (4X, Malta International) to increase its capacity during the peak season.
Editorial Comment: Added Cyprus Airways A320 registration - 04Apr2023 - 01:20 UTC