EuroAtlantic Airways Appoints Former airBaltic Executive as CEO

Why It Matters

The appointment positions euroAtlantic to capitalize on Calitis’s proven ACMI expertise as the company scales its fleet, potentially capturing more wet‑lease contracts in a tightening market. It also signals continuity and strategic confidence from its private‑equity owner, enhancing investor and customer trust.

Key Takeaways

• Pauls Calitis, former airBaltic COO, becomes euroAtlantic CEO May 18.
• EuroAtlantic adds two Airbus A330s in H2 2026, doubling fleet size.
• Stewart Higginson shifts to non‑executive chairman, maintaining strategic continuity.
• EAA’s 2026 capacity already committed, limited slots left for 2027.
• New CEO will drive ACMI and charter market leadership.

Pulse Analysis

EuroAtlantic Airways has carved a niche in Europe’s wet‑lease and charter market, offering ACMI services to airlines seeking flexible capacity. Demand for such solutions has risen as carriers grapple with post‑pandemic volatility and pilot shortages, making operational reliability a premium. Backed by Njord Partners, euroAtlantic is positioned to leverage this environment, but scaling its fleet and service quality requires seasoned leadership. The recent CEO appointment signals the company’s intent to tighten its operational edge and capture a larger share of the growing ACMI segment.

Pauls Calitis arrives with a track record forged at airBaltic, where he rose from pilot to chief operating officer and briefly served as interim CEO in 2025. During his tenure, airBaltic accelerated fleet modernization, introducing newer aircraft while expanding its own ACMI business across Europe. Calitis’s hands‑on experience in aligning aircraft acquisition with market demand equips him to steer euroAtlantic through its rapid expansion, particularly as the carrier prepares to integrate two Airbus A330s. His operational and commercial acumen is expected to enhance cost efficiency and service reliability, key differentiators in the wet‑lease arena.

The addition of two Airbus A330s in the second half of 2026 will double euroAtlantic’s fleet, moving the carrier from a modest narrow‑body operation to a mixed‑fleet model capable of longer‑range, higher‑capacity contracts. With most of its 2026 capacity already committed, the airline faces limited availability for 2027, underscoring the urgency of the expansion. Private‑equity backing from Njord Partners provides the financial muscle to fund aircraft acquisitions and support the scaling of ACMI services. As European airlines continue to outsource capacity, euroAtlantic’s upgraded fleet and seasoned leadership position it to capture lucrative wet‑lease deals and strengthen its market foothold.