Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Katya Leidmane as Vice President of Human Resources. Her tenure begins on 16 January 2026, marking a strategic move to support the carrier’s long-term growth ambitions and rising tourism activity across Europe. The airline continues to scale its operations as regional travel demand reaches record levels, supported by strong inbound tourism to the Baltics and increasing connectivity to major European hubs.
The appointment highlights airBaltic’s commitment to people-first development, improved service quality, and organisational agility. These elements remain critical for airlines navigating changing tourism trends, workforce expectations, and digital transformation within the aviation sector.
A People-Driven Strategy for an Expanding Airline
Leidmane joins at an important time for the carrier. AirBaltic continues to increase its fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft, grow seasonal leisure routes, and support the Baltics as an emerging gateway for European and transcontinental tourism. This growth requires strong talent strategies, modern workforce planning, and leadership pipelines capable of sustaining operational performance.
In her new role, Leidmane will oversee human resources strategy, leadership development, and workforce engagement. Her mandate also includes improving organisational performance and aligning HR initiatives with business goals. The airline expects her experience to help build a resilient culture that supports both customers and employees.
Extensive Leadership Track Record Across Industries
Leidmane brings more than two decades of HR leadership experience across banking, retail, aviation services, and advisory roles. Her background reflects a consistent focus on aligning people management with corporate transformation.
Before joining airBaltic, she served as People Director for Circle K Latvia. She held responsibility for HR, health and safety, and environmental divisions while overseeing a workforce of roughly 850 employees. Her work strengthened leadership pipelines, improved employee engagement, and supported business modernisation during periods of structural change.
She later advised organisations undergoing transformation, offering strategic guidance on organisational design, change management, and leadership performance. Earlier roles at GE Money and Swedbank provided further experience in regulated corporate environments and fast-changing industries.
Role in Supporting Baltic and European Travel Growth
Air travel continues to play a central role in supporting tourism growth in the Baltic region. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have recorded rising passenger volumes driven by urban tourism, leisure travel, and conference events. The Baltics have also gained visibility as accessible and affordable destinations for Northern European travellers.
AirBaltic’s expanding flight network connects Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Tampere to major cities across Europe, supporting tourism flows year-round. Strengthening the airline’s workforce and leadership capabilities helps ensure consistent service delivery, crew availability, customer experience, and operational reliability. These factors directly shape destination attractiveness and tourism competitiveness.
Building a Competitive and Sustainable Workforce
The aviation sector faces workforce challenges globally, including talent shortages in technical roles, the need for digital skills, and increased expectations for employee wellbeing. Airlines are also investing more in training, employer branding, and diversity initiatives to attract and retain skilled employees.
Leidmane’s leadership aligns with these industry shifts. Her focus includes modern talent development, better training systems, and resilient HR practices that support long-term growth. These efforts contribute to stronger service standards, safer operations, and improved customer satisfaction — all key elements for airlines competing for tourism markets.
Enhancing Organisational Culture and Leadership Development
AirBaltic aims to strengthen internal culture as it enters a new phase of expansion. The airline continues to invest in new aircraft, route expansion, digital services, and operational efficiency measures. Strong culture helps maintain performance during rapid growth and transformation.
Leadership development remains a major priority for aviation companies adapting to regulatory requirements, complex logistics, and fluctuating travel demand. With enhanced development frameworks, airBaltic seeks to prepare future leaders and increase readiness for evolving industry challenges.
Future Outlook for AirBaltic’s Growth
As tourism rebounds across Europe, airlines are racing to secure fleet capacity, qualified staff, and competitive route offerings. The Baltics benefit from rising interest in nature tourism, cultural events, and winter city travel. AirBaltic plays a central role in connecting these destinations to international markets while improving accessibility for inbound tourism.
Leidmane’s appointment reinforces the company’s intention to expand responsibly, invest in its people, and maintain stability as it scales. With a growing network and modern fleet, airBaltic remains well-positioned to serve both local travellers and international tourists in the years ahead.
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