AirBaltic CEO lauds new Starlink installation despite Musk controversy
The Latvian firm is the first European airline to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Elon Musk's Starlink.
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AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss has defended the firm's decision to partner with Space X's Starlink to provide in-flight internet to customers.
'It made…some controversial headlines because Elon Musk is the owner of that company. But the technology, of course, is outstanding,' he told Euronews.
'I'm sure if we look ahead ten years from now, this kind of high-speed internet …will be a standard in our industry,' he added.
The Latvian airline announced in late February that it would equip its Airbus A220-300 fleet with Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, making it the first European airline to integrate the technology.
Half of the 50-craft fleet will be equipped during the first six months of the year, while the rest will be upgraded by the end of 2025.
While many outlets offered positive coverage of the airBaltic Starlink collaboration, some individuals were unhappy with the decision to partner with billionaire Elon Musk.
'Musk's actions threaten the very existence of Latvia,' one user wrote on X, the social platform owned by Musk.
'You shouldn't sponsor him. Was looking forward to flying via Riga with Air Baltic, but this ruined the fun, have to rethink,' added the user.
Another individual claimed that they were boycotting the airline: 'No support for Musk & Trump during these times.'
Others were more supportive of the news, with one user stating: 'Congrats on pushing boundaries of aviation and space tech, huge milestone for airBaltic and SpaceX.'
A number of airlines outside of Europe have also partnered with Elon Musk's Starlink to offer in-flight Wi-Fi.
Qatar Airways and Hawaiian Airlines are already offering the service, while US firm United Airlines is currently in the installation process.
Musk's political activism
Musk, who also owns EV firm Tesla, has become more politically active over the last year.
Sales of Tesla vehicles have been dropping recently, a trend which some analysts link to Musk's political rhetoric.
The South African entrepreneur is notably a supporter of US President Donald Trump, donating at least $288 million (€264mn) to help elect the President and other Republican candidates.
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Musk now heads up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by Trump to slash state spending.
Outside of the US, the entrepreneur has also shown his support for the far-right AfD party in Germany, as well as for the British far-right extremist Tommy Robinson. Robinson is currently in prison in the UK for contempt of court.
Support for Ukraine
With regards to Russia's war in Ukraine, Musk has not always been a defender of the smaller country.
The Tesla CEO created a Twitter poll in 2022, suggesting that Crimea should be formally recognised as part of Russia.
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Musk has also acknowledged that he restricted his Starlink satellite service to Ukrainian officials during the same year, thwarting a Ukrainian drone attack.
'If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation,' he wrote on X.
Earlier this week, Musk said that Ukraine's 'entire front line' would now collapse if he turned the Starlink satellite system off.
The EU is now working with major satellite operators to look for alternatives to Starlink, viewing Musk as an unreliable backer.
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Luxembourg's SES, Spain's Hisdesat, Viasat - owner of the UK's Inmarsat - , and France's Eutelsat/OneWeb told the Financial Times last week that they are in talks with EU officials.
AirBaltic's investment in Ukraine
CEO Martin Gauss told Euronews that airBaltic is 'a very strong supporter of Ukraine' and 'really committed' to investing in the country post conflict.
'In the Baltic states, we have a very special relationship…therefore we will really want to help in the early phase of rebuilding Ukraine,' he said.
Gauss explained that airBaltic has been working with airports in Ukraine, specifically in Kyiv and Lviv, to make sure that they are ready to start operations as soon as it is safe to do so. This could be the same day as a ceasefire.
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'We were the last ones out and we will be the first ones in,' he said. 'But you know, it's not about the sport of who is the first. I think lasting support is needed.'
A number of airlines will be looking to cater to Ukraine's post-war travel market, including Ryanair and Wizz Air, as well as local operator Ukraine International Airlines.
Gauss said he expects demand to be high, not only from Ukrainians but also from individuals working to rebuild the country.
Expectations of an approaching ceasefire in Ukraine are growing as US President Donald Trump pushes for an end to the war.
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