[aviation news]
Latvian airline airBaltic and Türkiye’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, have announced a further expansion of their codeshare agreement, adding new destinations to their shared network.
This move strengthens their collaboration, which began in 2023 with joint operations on the Riga-Istanbul route.
The expanded partnership opens new markets, widens route networks, and improves travel options for passengers of both airlines. This step forward enhances the global presence of both carriers, offering seamless connectivity through their respective hubs.
New Destinations
Under the updated agreement, airBaltic will place its flight code on Turkish Airlines’ flights from Istanbul to six new destinations:
- Tbilisi (TBS) and Batumi (BUS) in Georgia,
- Ashgabat (Asb) in Turkmenistan, Baku (GYD) in Azerbaijan, Dushanbe (Dyu) in Tajikistan, and
- Bishkek (FRU) in Kyrgyzstan.
In return, Turkish Airlines will add its code to airBaltic’s flights from Riga to Turku (TKU) and Tampere (TMP) in Finland. Its coding will also apply to Palanga (PLQ) in Lithuania.
These new routes will launch once regulatory approvals are finalized, further connecting the Baltics, Northern Europe, and regions across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond.
Pauls Cālītis, Interim Ceo and Coo of airBalticexpressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s growth. “This expanded agreement with Turkish Airlines creates more travel opportunities for passengers from the Baltics. It gives them access to Turkish Airlines’ vast global network.”
“Meanwhile, travellers from Türkiye can now explore airBaltic’s destinations in the Baltics and Northern Europe with greater ease. We’re excited to deepen this successful collaboration,” he said.
Bilal Ekşi, CEO OF TURKISH Airlinesalso supported the network move. “We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with airBaltic. This expanded codeshare reflects our commitment to providing more travel choices and better connectivity for our passengers.”
“As the airline flying to more countries than any other, we aim to connect continents and cultures through strategic partnerships and an ever-growing network,” he stated.
The expanded agreement allows both airlines to place their marketing flight numbers on the new routes, alongside the existing Riga-Istanbul service.
This codeshare continues to attract growing passenger numbers, offering smoother travel experiences and enhanced connectivity through the carriers’ hubs in Riga and Istanbul.
About airBaltic
Founded in 1995, airBaltic (Air Baltic Corporation AS) is the leading airline in the Baltic region and one of Europe’s fastest-growing carriers.
Operating as a hybrid airline, it combines the strengths of traditional and low-cost carriers. With nearly 130 routes from hubs in Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere, and seasonally Gran Canaria, airBaltic connects the Baltics to over 70 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus.
The airline operates a modern fleet of 50 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, one of the youngest in Europe, and employs over 2,800 people.
In February 2025, airBaltic became the first European airline to offer free high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet on its flights, enhancing the onboard experience.
The Latvian state owns 97.97% of airBaltic, with private shareholders holding the remaining 2.03%. In January 2025, Lufthansa Group announced plans to acquire a minority stake in the airline, with the deal expected to close in Q2 2025.
airBaltic has earned numerous accolades for its excellence. Skytrax named it the Best Airline in its region for three consecutive years.
In 2023, it won the APEX Passenger Choice Award for Best Cabin Service in Europe. 2024 saw airBaltic receive the APEX Four Star Major Airline Award for its high-quality travel experience.
In 2025, airBaltic debuted in Airline Ratings’ global rankings. It earned a spot among the world’s 50 safest airlines and the top airlines for 2025.
About Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with just five aircraft, Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance member. It now operates a fleet of 485 passenger and cargo aircraft.
The airline serves 353 destinations worldwide. This includes 300 international and 53 domestic routes across 131 countries. The vast network makes it the carrier with the world’s broadest global reach.
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