Air Baltic chief highlights crucial role of connectivity as carrier awaits IPO launch

Air Baltic CE Martin Gauss remains confident in the prospects for the airline’s initial public offering, despite its being pushed back at least to the first half of next year Speaking to FlightGlobal in London, Gauss said the “market is not right” for the IPO from which the carrier aims to raise E300m ($315m). “We have a concept which is proven to work – both wet-lease and scheduled flying – therefore we’re very positive about the business plan,” he says. “We have a strong team, the senior management is very capable of doing the job – but we need to have investors pay the right price.” Air Baltic wants to strengthen its balance sheet with the new equity. Gauss says the carrier has an “expensive bond”, which the company can refinance with a better interest rate in 2026. The equity and the lower bond will “significantly leverage” the airline, he states. He says the airline is in “advanced discussions” with a large international listed airline for a pre-IPO investment, and expects to attract interest from potential investors in other sectors – particularly the Baltic retail market.<br/>