The airline confirmed it’s closing after greater than three a long time in enterprise.
Smartlynx Airways has shut down operations solely (Picture: Getty)
A distinguished airline collapsed into administration following over thirty years of service, leaving a staggering debt of £206million. Smartlynx Airways, primarily based in Latvia, had been grappling with monetary difficulties because the autumn of 2025.
Regardless of efforts to salvage the scenario, undisclosed ranges of debt and the failure to formulate a possible restoration technique resulted within the cessation of operations and the grounding of quite a few plane. The airline was famend for supplying European carriers comparable to EasyJet, which might apply their very own branding to the in any other case unmarked planes. In current instances, the airline has even prolonged its attain to India.
A serious airline has plunged into administration (Picture: Getty)
Between 2023-2024, the airline considerably elevated its fleet dimension to accommodate demand, transporting over 10 million passengers in a single 12 months and catering to shoppers together with IndiGo, AnadoluJet of Turkish Airways, AirTransat, DHL and others by way of bespoke ACMI and constitution companies.
Nevertheless, on 24 November 2025, the agency confirmed it will stop all operations, abandoning a debt of £206m (€240 million) and unpaid taxes amounting to £433,000 (€500,000) owed to the Latvian authorities.
The closure signifies the conclusion of one in every of Europe’s extra longstanding wet-lease and constitution suppliers after 33 years in enterprise.
In an announcement, the airline commented: “This choice comes after a radical evaluation of our scenario and long-term outlook, and it was not taken frivolously.
“We began as a small Latvian airline with large goals, and over 33 years grew into a world household recognized for resilience, adaptability, and a spirit that by no means backed down.”
Abandoning a “true legacy”, the airline expressed gratitude to their 1000’s of colleagues. The assertion added: “SmartLynx has at all times been constructed by its folks – passionate professionals from all corners of the world who took on each problem with dedication.
“Collectively, we stuffed the final three a long time with moments that will not be forgotten: days and nights within the skies, flights all around the world, new bases opening, new groups forming, and plenty of particular tales.
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“These moments, created by 1000’s of devoted colleagues over three a long time, are the true legacy of SmartLynx. To our groups, companions, shoppers, and associates – thanks.”
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