SmartLynx Airlines Halts Operations, Over 1,200 Employees Left Jobless
European ACMI and charter operator SmartLynx Airlines has completely ceased operations as of today, leaving more than 1,200 employees across its Latvia, Malta, and Estonia operations unemployed.
The sudden shutdown follows weeks of financial difficulties. At the end of October, Riga Regional Court placed the airline under legal protection and restructuring after it emerged that the company’s tax debts alone exceeded €522,000, highlighting deeper financial problems.
Founded in 1992, SmartLynx had grown from a small Latvian charter company into a major ACMI operator, serving airlines such as TUI, Jet2, easyJet, Condor, DHL, Air Peace, Turkish Airlines, and Air Transat. With a fleet of around 70 aircraft in 2024, the airline transported over 10 million passengers annually under crewed leasing and charter agreements.
However, rapid growth, reliance on seasonal leased crews, and mounting financial pressures made continued operations unsustainable. Employees were reportedly asked to immediately return all company uniforms and IDs despite two months of unpaid salaries, and many learned about the closure via social media.
The sudden collapse also impacts partner airlines, which now face the urgent need to secure replacement aircraft and crews, leaving over 1,200 pilots, cabin crew, technicians, and support staff facing an uncertain future.
