Globe Air Cargo UK, the UK subsidiary of ECS Group, has formally entered into partnership with airBaltic as the airline’s new general sales and service agent in the British market.
Under the agreement, the GSSA will focus on maximising load factors across airBaltic flights departing London Gatwick, Manchester and Aberdeen for Riga and Tallinn, while also opening new routing opportunities into the Baltics and other parts of Europe.
Since March 6, 2026, Globe Air Cargo UK has been commercially responsible for the bellyhold capacity of airBaltic’s 17 weekly flights from London Gatwick to Riga and Tallinn. The network will expand further with two weekly Riga services from Aberdeen starting June 2, 2026, while Manchester services are set to resume on December 13, 2026.
airBaltic operates what the partners describe as a very young and expanding fleet of A220-300 aircraft, which are well suited to mail, e-commerce, general cargo and pet transport.
Jean Ceccaldi, chief executive officer of ECS Group, described the new GSSA agreement as a genuine win-win arrangement. He said it opens up cargo capacity into important European and Baltic destinations that had not previously been directly served from the UK, giving Globe Air Cargo UK’s forwarding customers broader access to international markets.
He added that airBaltic will also benefit from Globe Air Cargo UK’s digital ecosystem, including simplified booking processes and AI-supported shipment documentation. But beyond the technology, Ceccaldi stressed that the human aspect also played a major role in airBaltic’s decision, saying the UK team’s market reach and customer base are expected to contribute positively to the airline’s cargo turnaround and wider growth strategy.
Steve Hughes, managing director of Globe Air Cargo UK, said the company has built a strong personal relationship with airBaltic over the seven years the airline has served the UK. During that time, the team has handled the airline’s operations, supported growth, promoted the product and delivered strong load factors and revenues out of the market.
He thanked Ilja Seliverstovs, Irina Podzuka and Vladislavs Pecevics for the trust they have placed in Globe Air Cargo UK and said the company intends to build on the relationship while continuing to use digital efficiencies to support future development.
For airBaltic, the partnership is also strategic. Ilja Seliverstovs, vice president cargo, said the airline is working to position Latvia as a key logistics gateway in Northern Europe. He noted that airBaltic has invested not only in what it describes as the youngest and greenest fleet in Europe, but also in a new modern cargo handling facility in Riga.
In his view, the partnership with Globe Air Cargo UK brings an important people element to that equation. He said the team’s expertise will help bring renewed focus to airBaltic’s cargo business and support the carrier’s intended growth.
The official signing took place on February 4, 2026, at airBaltic’s new Baltic Cargo Center at Riga Airport. Opened last year, the facility is located within one of the largest cargo hubs in the region and is capable of handling up to 45,000 tonnes of cargo annually, including temperature-sensitive shipments, high-value goods and live animals.
