Archive · 15 Sep 2026
AirBaltic Files Bankruptcy Amid Iran War, Fuel Price Crisis
AirBaltic is a Latvian airline facing serious financial problems.
Its CEO says the Iran war helped cause the crisis.
Fuel has become much more expensive, and the airline’s Middle East operations have been disrupted.
AirBaltic has asked a U.S. court for protection while it reorganizes its finances.
This process is called Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The airline says its flights will continue during the reorganization.
It is also speaking with worker unions about possible changes to its workforce.
The company expects the court process to finish by June next year.
AirBaltic CEO Erno Hilden blamed the Iran war for worsening the airline’s financial crisis.
The Latvian carrier has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States.
The airline cited soaring fuel prices and disruptions to its Middle East operations.
AirBaltic is consulting labor unions about possible workforce adjustments as it reduces capacity.
Flights are expected to continue as scheduled, with restructuring expected to conclude by June next year.
- Who
- AirBaltic and its CEO, Erno Hilden, along with the airline’s workers and labor unions.
- What
- AirBaltic filed for Chapter 11 protection and is reducing capacity while considering workforce adjustments.
- When
- The court-supervised restructuring is expected to conclude by June next year.
- Where
- The bankruptcy case was filed in the United States; the airline is based in Latvia and has disrupted Middle East operations.
- Why
- The CEO cited the Iran war, soaring fuel prices, and major disruptions to Middle East operations.
- Company
- AirBaltic
- CEO
- Erno Hilden
- Bankruptcy process
- Chapter 11 protection in the United States
- Stated pressures
- Soaring fuel prices and disruptions to Middle East operations
- Operational plan
- Flights will continue as scheduled during restructuring
- Workforce impact
- Labor-union consultations are underway over possible workforce adjustments
- Expected conclusion
- The court-supervised process is expected to finish by June next year