ECS Group’s UK subsidiary, Globe Air Cargo UK, has formally entered into a partnership with airBaltic. The experienced GSSA will maximise load factors on all airBaltic flights leaving London-Gatwick, Manchester, and Aberdeen for Riga and Tallinn, and opening up new routing opportunities to key destinations in the Baltics and other parts of Europe.
Since 6th March 2026, Globe Air Cargo UK is commercially responsible for the belly capacity of airBaltic’s 17 weekly flights from London-Gatwick (LGW) to Riga (RIX) and Tallinn (TLL). Two weekly Riga flights will commence from Aberdeen (ABZ) on 2nd June 2026, and Manchester services will resume on 13th December 2026. airBaltic operates a very young and growing fleet of A220-330 aircraft, which are ideal for mail and e-commerce business, alongside general cargo and pets.
“This new GSSA contract with airBaltic offers a true win-win situation. It opens up cargo capacities to key destinations in Europe and, in particular, the Baltic regions, which were previously not served from the UK. So, Globe Air Cargo UK’s freight forwarding customers across the UK now have increased global access,” says Jean Ceccaldi, Chief Executive Officer of ECS Group. “At the same time, airBaltic stands to benefit from Globe Air Cargo UK’s digital framework when it comes to simple and efficient booking processes, or AI-supported shipment documentation, for example. And above all, the people aspect played a significant part in airBaltic’s tender decision. Globe Air Cargo UK’s expansive customer base and market knowledge will soon bring a positive turnaround for airBaltic, in line with its strategic growth plans.”
“In the seven years that airBaltic has been serving the UK, we have built up a strong personal relationship, managing its handling, supporting growth, promoting its product and providing high load factors and strong revenues out of the UK,” Steve Hughes, Managing Director Globe Air Cargo UK, adds: “We thank Ilja Seliverstovs, Irina Podzuka and Vladislavs Pecevics for the trust and faith they now place in Globe Air Cargo to represent them as GSSA in the UK. We aim to build on this excellent rapport and leverage digital efficiencies, going forward.”
“At airBaltic, we are on a mission to position Latvia as a key strategic logistics gateway in Northern Europe and have invested not only in the youngest and greenest fleet in Europe, but also have a new modern cargo handling facility in Riga,” states Ilja Seliverstovs, Vice President Cargo at airBaltic. “Our partnership with Globe Air Cargo UK now adds the much-needed people factor into this success equation. The team’s expertise will help redirect the focus onto our cargo business once more and enable airBaltic to grow as intended.”
The official contract signing took place on 4th February 2026, at airBaltic’s new, state-of-the-art facility at its main base, Riga Airport, Latvia. Opened last year, the Baltic Cargo Centre is located in one of the region’s largest cargo hubs, capable of handling up to 45,000 tonnes of cargo per year, including specialised facilities for temperature-sensitive, high-value goods, and live animals.
