airBaltic Names its Aircraft After Estonian City of Tartu
airBaltic press release
/ airBaltic, the leading airline in the Baltics, continues naming its Airbus A220-300 fleet after cities and towns in the Baltic States, following the results of a public voting contest held in August 2024. The airline is pleased to announce that one of its aircraft, registered as YL-AAX, has been named after the Estonian town of Tartu and is already operating flights. In total, fourteen Estonian cities have been recognized in this way – Elva, Jõhvi, Kuressaare, Lihula, Narva, Paldiski, Pärnu, Põltsamaa, Rapla, Tallinn, Tartu, Valga, Viljandi and Võru.
The naming contest, held last year to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way, invited the public to vote for their most beloved cities across Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. A total of over one million votes were cast during the voting period from August 5 to August 22, resulting in a shortlist of 48 cities – 16 from each Baltic country – reflecting the airline’s fleet size at the time of the contest. This initiative celebrates the unity and cultural heritage of the Baltic States. This symbolic meaning also strengthens the recognition of the Baltic States region worldwide and encourages tourism, making these cities attractive to both local and international travellers.
Elīna Prāve, VP Marketing at airBaltic: "We are grateful to everyone who participated in this contest and showed support for their favourite cities. By naming airBaltic aircraft after Baltic cities, we not only inspire travellers to explore these places but also promote their international recognition. We are proud to be a part of the region's growth and strengthen its connectivity with the rest of the world."
Marleen Kirsip, Marketing Manager of the City of Tartu: “We are delighted that Tartu has been chosen as one of the cities to feature on airBaltic’s aircraft. It’s a wonderful way to showcase both the Baltic region and Tartu as the heart of South Estonia to the world. Aviation is an important and growing sector for our city, and we hope that one day the plane bearing Tartu’s name will land at Tartu Airport.”
So far, a total of 42 airBaltic Airbus A220-300 aircraft have been given the names of Baltic cities. The remaining selected Baltic cities will be assigned to the aircraft gradually and in random order. More information about the competition and its results is available here: https://vote.airbaltic.com.
Over the past 30 years, airBaltic has evolved into a globally respected carrier. Now the airline is connecting the Baltic States to 80 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region, providing essential infrastructure and global connectivity for the region. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets are available on the company's homepage at www.airbaltic.com.
Last changed 24.10.2025
