The leader of the parliamentary faction "New Unity," Edmunds Jurēvics, publicly stated in April that he guarantees the repayment of a €30 million loan (short-term credit) from the state by the national airline. Today, after an extraordinary government meeting held behind closed doors, it became clear that... airBaltic cannot repay the loan on time, that is, by August 31, and is asking to extend the repayment deadline to December 31. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that even on December 31, the remaining €18 million (the airline has already repaid €12 million) may not return to the State Treasury. Apparently, this is why the government will ask the Saeima to allow not only the extension of the loan repayment but also to consider the possibility of allocating additional financial resources to support the airline within the €30 million... Rumor has it that the government has not yet made any decisions on this matter - at least part of the partners in the ruling coalition categorically oppose both extending the loan repayment deadline and, even more so, granting any guarantees for the possibility of receiving another €30 million. Most likely, some clarity regarding the ruling party's further actions will emerge after the extraordinary meeting of bondholders next Monday, August 17.
