AirBaltic Scraps Passenger Flights from Liège Airport

AirBaltic, Latvia’s national airline, has definitively abandoned its plans to launch passenger flights from Liège Airport in Belgium, dealing a significant blow to the Walloon airport’s ambitions to restore passenger operations. The decision, announced in late August 2026, comes just two months before the first flights were scheduled to depart for the Canary Islands.

The airline had planned to operate routes to Gran Canaria and Tenerife starting in late October 2026, but cited weak bookings, rising fuel costs, and a strategic restructuring that prioritizes operations from its Riga hub as reasons for the complete cancellation, according to RTBF.

A Rapid Reversal of Plans

The cancellation marks a swift and complete reversal from the initial announcement made in March 2026, when Liège Airport celebrated AirBaltic’s arrival as a major step toward restoring passenger traffic. The airline had initially planned four weekly flights—two to each Canary Island destination—as part of its winter 2026-2027 program, as reported by L-Post.

However, in early August, AirBaltic reduced its planned frequency to just one weekly flight per destination, citing insufficient demand and financial difficulties, according to QU4TRE. The reduction was part of a broader 45 million euro savings plan that included cutting the airline’s fleet from 54 to 36 aircraft by the end of 2026.

By August 25, the airline had cancelled all planned flights from Liège entirely. DHnet reported that all passengers who had booked flights were contacted and offered full refunds.

Financial Pressures Behind the Decision

AirBaltic’s decision stems from severe financial difficulties exacerbated by the 2026 Iran war, which has driven up global kerosene prices significantly. The airline requested and received a 30 million euro loan from the Latvian government in April 2026, a measure that was hotly debated in the Latvian parliament before being approved by 49 votes against 23, according to Wikipedia.

The airline’s restructuring plan prioritizes operations from its Riga hub over expansion into new markets. Other planned routes were also cancelled, including a weekly link from Groningen Airport in the Netherlands to Tenerife and routes to Poland, as detailed by L-Post.

Edvards Dālderis, AirBaltic’s international communications representative, stated that the airline “regularly reviews its route network to ensure its commercial viability and alignment with passenger demand, a common practice in the aviation sector.”

A Setback for Liège Airport

For Liège Airport, the cancellation is a painful reminder of its fragile position in the passenger market. The airport has had no scheduled passenger flights since January 2026, when TUI fly Belgium ceased operations after 31 years of presence, ending a collaboration that dated back to 1994, as RTBF reported.

“The first reaction is obviously disappointment since we could finally offer new flights to Gran Canaria and Tenerife for the people of Liège,” said Christian Delcourt, spokesperson for Liège Airport, in comments reported by QU4TRE. “We had already lost TUI, which left in January. We thought we could relaunch the passenger hall with AirBaltic, but we know the company is experiencing major financial difficulties that are not the airport’s responsibility.”

Despite the setback, Delcourt remains optimistic about the airport’s passenger potential. “We remain very combative, and we talk a lot with tourism officials from the metropolis and Wallonia: Liège has become very attractive again on the city trips map,” he said, noting recent developments including the arrival of the tram, quay renovations, and growing tourism in the city.

Cargo Remains the Core Business

While the passenger terminal remains empty, Liège Airport’s primary business continues to thrive. The airport processes over a billion packages annually, making it one of Europe’s leading cargo hubs, as highlighted by La Libre.

What’s Next

The airport is in discussions with other airlines, but no agreements have been signed yet. Given that airlines typically need about a year of lead time for route planning, new passenger flights cannot be expected before winter 2027 or even summer 2028.

“To start activities in winter 2027, negotiations need to begin, or even be completed, a year in advance—that is, now,” Delcourt explained. “We are convinced that the Liège metropolis is a destination that can interest tourists. There’s a way to do a city trip there, because there are things to see, including the Calatrava station, museums with exhibitions, etc. The authorities have really modernized the city. It’s ripe.”

For now, Liège Airport’s passenger terminal remains quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling cargo operations that continue to define the airport’s identity. The airport’s leadership remains hopeful that the city’s growing appeal as a tourist destination will eventually attract new airlines—but for the foreseeable future, passengers looking to fly from Liège will need to look elsewhere.