SmartLynx Airlines (6Y-ART), has announced it will halt all commercial operations as of November 24, 2025. The announcement follows a review of the company’s financial outlook and its ability to sustain long-term activity. The carrier described the choice as a “difficult but necessary step after exploring potential paths forward”.
The news comes roughly a month after the airline changed ownership. Senior management, supported by an investment fund based in the Netherlands, had recently taken control of the Latvian business from its previous corporate parent. Despite that transition, the company entered a legal protection process in late October, signaling increasing financial pressure. A court-appointed supervisor was assigned soon after.
Where are SmartLynx’s Latvian aircraft?
SmartLynx expanded into additional markets through branded operations as SmartLynx Estonia (MYX), SmartLynx Malta (2N/LYX) and SmartLynx Australia (QN/SKP).
Our data shows a total of 12 Latvian registered aircraft operated by Smartlynx as of November 24, 2025. 8 of these are Airbus A320 aircraft, and 4 are Airbus A321 aircraft (including an A321 passenger to freighter ‘P2F’ conversion).
| Aircraft type | Registration | MSN | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-214 | YL-LCT | 2233 | Landed in Asaba (ABB), October 10, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-232 | YL-LDD | 3264 | Landed in Tarbes (LDE), November 5, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-232 | YL-LDJ | 4351 | Landed in Amman (AMM), January 16, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-232 | YL-LDN | 3641 | Landed in Tarbes (LDE), November 18, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-232 | YL-LDT | 6189 | Landed in Bucharest (BBU), November 2, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-232 | YL-LDU | 6306 | Landed in Bucharest (BBU), November 2, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-214 | YL-LDW | 3215 | Landed in Sofia (SOF), October 8, 2025 |
| Airbus A320-214 | YL-LDX | 3221 | Landed in Madrid (MAD), October 5, 2025 |
| Airbus A321-231 | YL-LCQ | 2211 | Landed in Siauliai (SQQ), November 1, 2025 |
| Airbus A321-231 | YL-LCV | 2216 | Landed in Varna (VAR), November 1, 2025 |
| Airbus A321-231 | YL-LDS | 5074 | Transponder last activated in Madrid (MAD), October 27, 2025 |
| Airbus A321-231(P2F) | YL-LDZ | 974 | Landed in Larnaca (LCA), October 20, 2025 |
The shutdown brings an end to more than three decades of activity. The airline began in the early 1990s under the name LatCharter, operating Soviet-built aircraft before modernizing its fleet over the years.
What is ACMI leasing?
ACMI leasing—short for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance—is a model in which one airline provides a fully operated aircraft to another airline for a defined period. The leasing provider handles flight crews, technical upkeep, and insurance, while the customer airline covers fuel, airport fees, and commercial responsibilities. This arrangement helps airlines manage seasonal demand, fleet shortages, and unexpected operational gaps without committing to long-term fleet growth. SmartLynx has built much of its business around this model, supplying short- and medium-term lift to carriers that needed flexibility. Other examples of ACMI operators include Avion Express (X9/NVD) and Hi Fly (5K/HFY).
