Airport, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Martin Gauss.

The minister pointed out that Gauss is the most suited candidate in terms of know-how, his vision of the airline's development, experience and capabilities, writes LETA.

Augulis explained that Gauss has agreed to become the airline's new CEO and his monthly salary could amount to LVL 20,000. The airline's former president Bertolt Flick was paid more – LVL 26,000, reports LETA.

Altogether, 30 candidates for the post were assessed, including Latvian citizens.

As reported, the third board member of airBaltic and the airline's next CEO will be appointed today. Currently, there are three candidates for the post, including Gauss.

airBaltic council chairman Gints Kirsteins told Nozare.lv that all three candidates are foreign citizens and their suitability for the post was evaluated this week.

Kirsteins refused to reveal the names of the other two candidates, pointing out that Gauss' name should not have appeared in the media. He explained that there are risks in choosing a CEO in such a short period of time, and the contract with the new airBaltic CEO will seek to eliminate these risks. Kirsteins also added that all three candidates are professionals and the new CEO will be able to lead airBaltic out of its financial problems.

At the moment, the airline's board is made up of airBaltic Chief Operations Officer Laila Odina and former investment banker, now CEO at the holding company Felix, Vitolds Jakovlevs.