The government of Latvia has approved an 18% increase in personnel costs at airBaltic (BT, Riga) to aid fleet expansion in 2026, significantly exceeding the statutory 2.6% annual growth ceiling.

The country’s Ministry of Transport said the decision reflects growing operational demands, the recruitment and long-term training of certified aviation specialists, and the need to maintain competitive remuneration in a tight labour market. Officials warned that enforcing the cap would effectively impede airBaltic’s growth and disrupt core operations.