Smartlynx Airlines was forced to cease operations and ground flights after plunging into administration – it was founded in 1992 but faced financial difficulties in 2025
A major airline has been forced to cancel all flights after it plunged into administration.
Smartlynx Airlines had been in business since 1992 but was forced to cease all of its operations after facing financial difficulties since the autumn of 2025.
All aircraft were grounded after unsuccessful efforts to salvage the firm, based in Latvia. The airline had been renowned for supplying European carriers such as easyJet, which would apply their own branding to the otherwise unmarked planes. It had even extended its reach to India in recent years.
The airline significantly increased its fleet size between 2023 and 2024 to accommodate demand, transporting more than 10 million passengers in a single year. It catered to clients such as IndiGo, AnadoluJet of Turkish Airlines, AirTransat, DHL and others via bespoke ACMI and charter services.
Yet on 24 November 2025, the firm confirmed it would cease all operations, leaving behind a debt of £206m and unpaid taxes amounting to £433,000 owed to the Latvian government.
The closure signified the conclusion of one of Europe’s longstanding wet-lease and charter providers after 33 years in business.
The airline said: “This decision comes after a thorough assessment of our situation and long-term outlook, and it was not taken lightly.
“We started as a small Latvian airline with big dreams, and over 33 years grew into an international family known for resilience, adaptability, and a spirit that never backed down.”
Leaving behind a “true legacy”, the airline also expressed gratitude to their thousands of colleagues, Express reports. It added: “SmartLynx has always been built by its people – passionate professionals from all corners of the world who took on every challenge with determination.
“Together, we filled the last three decades with moments that won’t be forgotten: days and nights in the skies, flights all over the world, new bases opening, new teams forming, and lots of special stories.
“These moments, created by thousands of dedicated colleagues over three decades, are the true legacy of SmartLynx. To our teams, partners, clients, and friends – thank you.”
