Published: October 27, 2026
SWISS International Air Lines will end its wet-lease cooperation with Latvia-based airBaltic at the conclusion of the 2026–2027 winter flight schedule, as the Swiss carrier plans to operate more services using its own aircraft and crews from summer 2027.
The airline also plans to reduce its reliance on aircraft and crews supplied by other carriers, bringing the number of aircraft operating for SWISS under wet-lease agreements down from around 26 to approximately 18.
SWISS Plans More Flights With Its Own Aircraft
SWISS said the expansion of its own operations will be supported by the return of additional Airbus A320 aircraft to service. The airline expects to have greater operational flexibility as the availability of Pratt & Whitney engines improves and cockpit crew resources gradually strengthen.
In recent years, wet-lease arrangements have helped SWISS maintain its flight schedule despite limitations affecting its own fleet and staffing. Under these agreements, another airline supplies both the aircraft and crew to operate flights on behalf of SWISS.
The company now intends to take greater responsibility for its operations while retaining flexibility through selected external partners.
AirBaltic Cooperation to End in March 2027
The partnership between SWISS and airBaltic began in 2022. Under the arrangement, airBaltic aircraft and crews operated selected services on behalf of the Swiss airline, helping support capacity across its European network.
The cooperation will conclude when the winter 2026–2027 timetable period ends. The change forms part of SWISS's wider decision to reduce the number of external operating partners it uses.
SWISS acknowledged airBaltic's contribution during a challenging period for the Swiss carrier, particularly when engine availability and crew resources limited its ability to operate more flights independently.
Helvetic Airways to Remain a Key Partner
As it reduces its reliance on external aircraft, SWISS plans to focus its cooperation primarily on Helvetic Airways, its established Swiss regional airline partner.
The two airlines have worked together for years. Their partnership gives SWISS additional flexibility to manage seasonal demand and operational requirements without relying on as many different external operators.
Helvetic Airways is expected to remain an important part of SWISS's operating model as the airline increases the number of flights handled by its own fleet and crews.
What Does This Mean for Passengers?
The end of the airBaltic partnership does not mean that airBaltic is stopping its own scheduled services. The decision concerns flights operated on behalf of SWISS under a wet-lease agreement.
Passengers should continue to check their individual bookings and flight status, particularly when a journey is scheduled during the transition to the summer 2027 timetable. SWISS states that customers will be informed if changes affect their bookings.
For passengers, the main objective is to maintain reliable operations while SWISS returns more flying to its own aircraft and crews. The airline has not announced that the partnership change itself will result in the cancellation of all flights previously operated by airBaltic on its behalf.
AirBaltic Faces Its Own Financial Restructuring
The announcement comes as airBaltic deals with financial challenges. In September 2026, the Latvian airline entered Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States, a legal process that allows eligible companies to restructure their finances while continuing operations.
AirBaltic said when it announced the process that its flights and customer bookings would continue as normal. SWISS's decision to end the wet-lease cooperation is presented as part of its own operational strategy, including the improving availability of its aircraft and crews.
Official Sources
- SWISS Newsroom — official announcement on the end of the airBaltic cooperation and the airline's summer 2027 operating plans.
- SWISS Wet-Lease Information — explanation of how partner airlines operate flights on behalf of SWISS.
- SWI swissinfo.ch — background on airBaltic's Chapter 11 restructuring.
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