airBaltic strengthens its position as Northern Europe’s leading Airbus A220 training hub with the addition of a second state-of-the-art flight simulator.
Latvian national carrier airBaltic is further strengthening its training infrastructure with the installation of a second Airbus A220 full-flight simulator at its airBaltic Training Center in Riga, Latvia. This state-of-the-art simulator will play a pivotal role in enhancing pilot training and maintaining the qualifications of its growing flight crew, ensuring seamless operations as the airline expands its Airbus fleet and develops the airBaltic Pilot Academy.
With nearly 50 aircraft currently in service and a goal to operate a fleet of 100 Airbus A220-300 aircraft by 2030, airBaltic is experiencing a surge in pilot training requirements. The addition of this second simulator represents a strategic investment to meet the rising demand for advanced training facilities.
Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic: “As we continue to expand our operations, the addition of a second Airbus A220 simulator marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to provide high-level training for our pilots. We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and excellence in pilot training. The introduction of the second simulator not only supports the future growth of airBaltic but also strengthens our position as a key player in the global aviation industry.”
With only two Airbus A220 full-flight simulators in operation across Northern Europe, both managed by airBaltic, the airline solidifies its position as the region’s leading training center. While similar simulators are found in countries like Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France, airBaltic’s facilities set a unique benchmark for Airbus A220 pilot training in Northern Europe.
The newly added simulator offers an impressive 6,000 hours of annual availability, with an ideal utilization target of 5,500 to 6,000 hours. These hours will be allocated for initial and recurrent training sessions, alongside necessary technical maintenance to ensure top-tier performance and reliability.
In addition to meeting the training needs of its growing fleet, the simulator will enhance advanced technical training and enrich the curriculum at the airBaltic Pilot Academy, particularly in the Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) course. The increased capacity from the second simulator also enables airBaltic to lease unused slots to other airlines, further optimizing its operational value.
Both simulators at airBaltic are fully certified under the latest European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Issue 2 standards. They include cutting-edge capabilities such as precision-based navigation (PBN) and upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT). Featuring a 60-inch Stroke Electric Motion System and state-of-the-art visual technology with four-megapixel LED projectors and dual head-up displays, the CAE7000XR Series Full-Flight Simulators, equipped with CAE Tropos
6000XR visual systems, deliver unmatched realism for pilot training.
Currently, 138 students from the airBaltic Pilot Academy and over 450 airBaltic pilots utilize these simulators for rigorous training. Moreover, airBaltic provides access to its simulators for external clients, attracting airlines and training organizations from countries such as Germany, Sweden, and beyond. Operating 24/7 with utilization rates often exceeding 5,500 hours annually, the simulators ensure high efficiency and exceptional availability, reinforcing airBaltic’s role as a trusted training provider across the aviation industry.
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