SmartLynx Airlines Latvia, a prominent Latvian aircraft leasing and charter company with an operational office in Malta, has announced the cessation of its activities after three decades in the aviation industry. The decision follows a period of escalating financial difficulties, which intensified after the company was divested by its parent firm, Avia Solutions Group, last month. The company cited a comprehensive assessment of its financial position and long-term prospects as the basis for its decision to cease operations.
Employees have expressed concerns on social media, reporting unpaid wages for several weeks and instances of staff stranded abroad. The shutdown leaves more than 1,200 pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and office staff facing sudden uncertainty. Many say they have struggled to reach management for clarification or confirmation of unpaid salaries.
The company’s fleet, comprising 14 twinjets from Airbus, was primarily used for wet-leasing and charter operations, serving various airlines, including Air Malta. The closure of SmartLynx Latvia occurs amid broader turbulence within the aviation sector, with companies contending with operational disruptions and shifting economic pressures.
The Avia Solutions Group plans to merge SmartLynx Estonia and SmartLynx Malta into a rebranded company, exploring further efficiency enhancements within its European AOC network.
