airBaltic cancels Liège Airport to Canary Islands routes

Latvian airline airBaltic has canceled its planned winter expansion from Liège Airport to the Canary Islands, including routes to Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The airline cited insufficient passenger demand and financial difficulties driven by rising fuel costs as the primary reasons for the decision.

The cancellation marks a significant setback for Liège Airport, which has lacked passenger flights since TUIfly departed in January. Initially, airBaltic intended to operate four flights per week to each destination, but later reduced this to one flight per week before discontinuing the routes entirely. Passengers with existing bookings are being notified and offered refunds.

Beyond the specific route cancellations, airBaltic is facing broader financial challenges. The airline reported a net loss of 70.1 million euros in the first quarter, despite an increase in revenue. The carrier has also struggled with high lease obligations, contributing to cumulative losses exceeding 620 million euros since 2009.