Martin Gauss, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian national airline airBaltic, has lost the trust of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and cannot continue to manage the company, said Armands Krauze, Chairman of the Board of ZZS.
After the meeting of the Board of ZZS, which was focused on the situation surrounding airBaltic, Krauze said it is obvious what is on display now is the inability of the company’s management, for which Gauss should take responsibility.
“As a political party, we can’t fire him because we have to follow the law. This task is for the company board, which can decide on the suspension of the manager. The problems did not surface at the last minute, they were accumulated over the course of the past year. Engine problems were known a long time ago, but delays have created new problems now,” said Krauze.
Krauze emphasized that the company’s council should make a decision on the dismissal of the manager, but the Ministry of Transport must monitor the activities of the council.
The politician stressed that the problems stemming from engine maintenance affect a large number of people. Krauze added that flights are not just cancelled, but re-scheduled as well, which creates inconveniences for passengers.
Krauze reminded that the initial public offering of airBaltic shares has been delayed as well. The general opinion within ZZS is that the company is not managed professionally.
“The salary of the chairman of the board of directors of our national airline is astronomically high, and we believe that it is possible to find someone who is better able to manage this company,” said Krauze.
As previously reported, airBaltic kicked off 2025 with an announcement that it will be cancelling numerous flights this summer season because of delays with aircraft engine maintenance, which is performed by engine manufacturer “Pratt & Whitney”. A total of 4 670 flights will be cancelled as a result.