Baltic aviation ceo biography
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He has also held senior leadership positions at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and Finnair Plc, where he served as Group CFO, Chief Operating Officer, and member of the executive board.
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Announcing the appointment, Andrejs Martinovs, chairman of the Supervisory Board of airBaltic, said: “After a comprehensive selection process with several strong candidates, we are pleased to appoint Erno Hildén as the next CEO of airBaltic.
The Supervisory Board looks forward to working closely with him and the Executive Board in the period ahead.”
“I appreciate the trust placed in me by the Supervisory Board. Hildén's order comes at a time when Air Baltic has standardized its fleet on Airbus A220-300 aircraft and aims to further consolidate its market position in the region.
The change at the top of the company marks a further step in Air Baltic's strategic realignment, which aims to expand its role as a key air transport provider in the Baltic region.
Until June this year, he was Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer of SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Previously, he held senior positions at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and Finnair Plc.
Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of airBaltic, said that Hildén's "strong aviation and financial experience will make a significant contribution to the airline as it continues its development and prepares for the next phase of growth".
Hildén, for his part, said that his role will be "to ensure continuity in the business, support the Board and work with the team to maintain operational stability and contribute to the long-term objectives of the airline".
Pauls Cālītis, Acting CEO and Member of the Management Board, will continue to lead airBaltic until 1 December.
Most recently, until June 2025, he served as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer of SAS, where he played a key role in the airline’s transformation and capital raising efforts. Prior to his time at SAS, Hildén also held senior positions at the Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and the Finnish national carrier Finnair, where he also served as Group CFO, COO, and a member of the board.
In an initial statement, Erno Hildén emphasized that he, together with the board and teams, would focus on ensuring continuity within the company, strengthening day-to-day operations, and supporting the airline's strategic development.
His strong background in aviation and finance will add important expertise as the company continues to develop its business and prepares for the next phase of growth. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets are available on the company’s homepage at www.airbaltic.com.
The supervisory board of Latvian airline airBaltic has announced the appointment of Erno Hildén as the company’s next chief executive officer, effective 1 December 2025.
Hildén, a Finnish national, brings over 25 years of international experience in aviation and finance.
Before joining SAS, he held senior roles at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and at Finnair Plc, where he served as Group CFO, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and a member of the Executive Board.
Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of airBaltic, said: “After a thorough and professional selection process, led by a dedicated nomination committee and an external independent recruitment partner, including the evaluation of several highly qualified candidates, we are pleased to appoint Erno Hildén as the next CEO of airBaltic.
After that date, Mr. Cālītis will continue in his role COO and as a member of the Executive Board.
airBaltic operates more than 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere, and, seasonally, Gran Canaria, offering connections to a wide range of destinations in the airline’s route network in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region.
Hildén, a Finnish national, brings more than 25 years of international experience in aviation and finance. My focus will be on ensuring continuity, supporting the Executive Board, and working together with the team to maintain operational stability and contribute to the company’s long-term objectives. His strong aviation and financial background will bring valuable expertise as the company continues its development and prepares for the next phase of growth.”
Accepting the role, Erno Hildén said: “I appreciate the trust placed in me by the Supervisory Board.
I look forward to applying my international aviation and financial experience to support airBaltic’s next stage of development.”
Until Hildén assumes office in December, airBaltic will continue to be led by interim CEO and executive board member Pauls Cālītis, who will return to his role as COO once the transition is complete.
Hildén's many years of experience in the financial and operational management of major European and global airlines are seen as a significant contribution to the airline's next phase of development.
The Supervisory Board of the Latvian airline airBaltic has appointed Erno Hildén as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline.
Air Baltic has established itself over the past 30 years and, operating from its headquarters in Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn, serves as a vital link to 80 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus. Until June 2025 he served as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, where he has been a key member of the leadership team during the company’s transformation and capital raise.
The Finnish executive takes the helm of the airline, which plays a key role in the connectivity and economic development of the Baltic states. Hildén succeeds interim CEO Pauls Cālītis, who returns to his original role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and member of the Board of Directors.
The new Air Baltic CEO brings more than 25 years of international experience in the aviation and finance sectors to his new position.
Until June 2025, Hildén served as Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at SAS Scandinavian Airlines. It is a privilege to take on this responsibility at airBaltic. He will assume the role as of December 1, 2025.
Mr. I also look forward to applying my international aviation and financial experience to support the company’s next stage of development,” says Erno Hildén.
Until December 1, airBaltic will continue to be led by Interim CEO and Executive Board member Pauls Cālītis, ensuring continuity.
Thereafter, Cālītis will continue as Chief Operating Officer and will serve on the Board.
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