The airline's main charter flight customers are tour operators, of which Tez Tour is the main partner, ordering 65% of all charter flights in 2006. In cooperation with Tez Tour, airBaltic even opened new scheduled flights to Egypt (Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh), on which most of the seats were reserved for Tez Tour but for which tickets were also on sale to individuals. Requests for charter flights are also being placed by individual companies, ministries and foreign embassies, making corporate trips for employees and clients that much easier. Planes are also hired by Latvian sports teams to travel to international competitions and by the Latvian National Opera to fly performers on tour. But perhaps the most distinguished type of charter flight is airBaltic's VIP charter. The airline regularly flies the Latvian president with her delegations on official visits abroad. In November 2006, during the high-level NATO Summit in Riga, airBaltic operated two important charter flights carrying summit delegates, ordered directly by the Latvian government. Attention is made to any special wishes the client may have, as well as to any particular needs regarding flying times and service on board. “We can fulfil the clients' craziest wishes,” enthused Liene Iesalniece, airBaltic's Charter Sales Manager. “We provided, for example, in cooperation with Riga Catering Service, an especially exquisite French champagne to VIP passengers on one flight. Another occasion, the aircraft captain made a very special speech for a newly married couple.” Due to the success of its charter-flight business, airBaltic now plans to develop it further. A charter timetable for summer 2007 is being prepared in cooperation with Latvia's leading tour operators Tez Tour and Novatours, but space is still open to any individuals, companies or groups who are welcome to contact airBaltic if reliable transportation is needed for a business event or corporate leisure trip. |