Engine Delays Force AirBaltic to Cancel 4,600 Flights This Summer
Skift Take
The new year is bringing the same old headaches for the airline industry. Reliability and maintenance issues with a widely used engine are forcing carriers to slash schedules for the peak summer season.
AirBaltic is canceling thousands of flights for the coming summer season. On Thursday, the Riga-based carrier announced that 19 routes will be suspended, with frequencies cut to another 21 destinations. In total, 4,670 flights will not operate as planned.
The airline said the cancellations resulted from “unexpected delays and prolonged engine maintenance” at its supplier, Pratt & Whitney.
In a sharply worded statement, AirBaltic cited the engine manufacturer’s “inability to meet its timely maintenance obligations.” The airline added that it “continues to work closely with Pratt & Whitney to resolve the maintenance delays and find a sustainable solution.”
While AirBaltic is not alone i
