airBaltic Seeks to End Six A220 Leases
The Latvian carrier, under US Chapter 11 protection, asks a court to terminate leases on six Airbus A220 jets from a Dublin-based lessor.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Air Travel
airBaltic has asked a court for permission to terminate lease agreements for six Airbus A220 aircraft currently parked at Riga Airport. The airline, which is undergoing financial restructuring under US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, says the aircraft are no longer needed for its long-term operations.
Why it matters
airBaltic says the lease rates for the six aircraft exceed market value and the jets no longer fit its business plan. The request signals further fleet reductions as the carrier works through its restructuring.
The filing covers six aircraft with registrations YL-CSI, YL-ABD, YL-ABE, YL-ABF, YL-BTC and YL-BTD, out of airBaltic's 54-aircraft A220-300 fleet of which 46 are operating leases. Whether the court will approve the termination and how the aircraft will be returned to lessors remains unresolved.
The players
airBaltic
Latvia's national airline, which operates a fleet of Airbus A220-300 jets and is currently restructuring under US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited
The Dublin-based lessor that owns all six aircraft included in the termination request.
The details
airBaltic asked the court to approve both the lease terminations and the procedure for returning the aircraft to lessors. The lessor for all six aircraft is Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited, with companies in the Azorra Group and Artemis Funding Limited also listed as notice recipients.
Timeline
17 November: requested effective date for termination of the six leases
Travel Outlook
The request follows airBaltic's Chapter 11 filing and fits a pattern of carriers shedding leased capacity during restructuring. Fleet reductions of this kind can shape which routes and frequencies travelers see on the airline's network.
Travelers booking airBaltic flights should check whether schedules change if the six aircraft leave the fleet. Fleet reductions can affect route availability and fares, so verifying flights close to departure is advisable.
The takeaway
Carriers in restructuring often trim fleets to cut costs, which can narrow seat availability on their routes. Travelers on affected airlines should watch for schedule changes before finalizing trips.
Further reading
For broader context on how carriers manage their fleets, see Air Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eoghan Corry's TRAVEL Extra.
