Andris Balickis

General Director of Airo Catering Services Latvija

A 30-year journey of how flying meets flavour. Since 1995, airBaltic and Airo Catering Services Latvija have been in the air together – one taking care of the flying, the other of the taste. For Andris Balickis, General Director of Airo Catering Services Latvija, the partnership has always been about more than meals and coffee. It’s about trust, shared standards, and the pride of welcoming guests to Latvia with the real taste of the country.

Over nearly three decades, the numbers have grown impressive – enough food served to match the weight of 1,200 elephants and enough drinks poured to fill three Olympic swimming pools. But to him, it feels less like a contract and more like family.

Being part of the global LSG Sky Chefs network, the company has achieved numerous international recognitions, from award-winning pre-order concepts to the Onboard Hospitality Award for its early inflight entertainment solution, Skynet. Many of these achievements, Balickis says, would not have been possible without airBaltic’s trust and shared appetite for innovation.

One milestone came in 2003, when airBaltic became one of the first airlines in Europe to launch a Buy-on-Board service – and Airo Catering was one of the first kitchens to make it a reality. “It felt like building a rocket from scratch,” he recalls, “only it was a sales program.” There were no ready-made solutions or even legal frameworks to guide them, just engagement, imagination, and plenty of late nights.

For the team, the work is deeply meaningful, even if much of it happens behind the scenes. Whether preparing Business Class champagne or a simple Economy ham-and-cheese croissant, they know each product becomes part of a passenger’s travel memory. Many staff members have been with the company for 10–15 years, and some since the very first day in 1995 – a sign of true dedication.

Memorable moments include the time a real Mini Cooper was sold onboard in the early 2010s - “a complete wow story for inflight retail,” Balickis laughs – and the enduring popularity of the ham-and-cheese croissant, still a bestseller nearly 20 years on. airBaltic has also kept the team sharp with innovations like last-minute pre-orders, which can see them transform into an F1 pit crew when an order comes in just two hours before departure.

Equally important is showcasing Latvian products on board. For international visitors, it’s a first taste of Latvia; for returning locals, it’s a bite of home the moment they step onto the aircraft.

The partnership, Balickis says, has left a lasting mark on the team’s identity. “We’ve grown together, faced challenges, and celebrated big wins side by side.” Some employees have even seen their children grow up and join the company, a sign of how deeply the collaboration and aviation is woven into their lives.

Looking ahead, he hopes that in another 30 years the two companies will still be side by side, using the latest technology to deliver exceptional taste. Because, as he says, in the end it’s not just about what’s on the plate - it’s about the love and dedication that travel with it.