From the football pitch to the flight deck

As football fans around the world follow this summer’s FIFA World Cup, airBaltic Pilot Academy student Mārtiņš Biders knows what it means to pursue a dream through dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.

Before beginning his pilot training, Biders played football for the Latvian clubs FS Leevon Saldus and FK Metta. Today, he’s working towards a different goal – becoming an airline pilot. He says that choosing aviation wasn’t about leaving sport behind; it was about pursuing another long-term ambition and challenging himself in a different field.

Looking back, Biders sees many similarities between football and aviation. The discipline developed through years of training has helped him throughout his pilot studies. Such qualities as consistency, preparation, resilience, and performing under pressure are important in both environments. ‘Football also taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement. Playing football and flying an aircraft are more similar than you would think,’ he says.

Teamwork is another connection between the two worlds. While football relies on players working together towards a common goal, aviation depends on cooperation between pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, engineers, and many others. Biders admits that his football background has helped him understand the importance of supporting teammates and communicating clearly under pressure. Those same principles apply in the cockpit, where teamwork and professionalism are essential.

Although aviation is now his main focus, football remains an important part of his life. Biders continues to follow the sport closely, enjoys watching Latvian clubs compete in Europe, and supports the Latvian national team whenever possible. ‘Football has been a big part of my life for many years, and I still play at an amateur level because I enjoy the game,’ he says.

As a football fan, Biders is also following this year’s World Cup. The first tournament he remembers watching was in 2006, and his favourite team has remained the same ever since: ‘Portugal has always been the team I support. But I am confident that one day we’ll see Latvia competing on football’s biggest stage and have the opportunity to cheer for our own national team.’

For a future pilot who loves football, travel adds another connection between these two passions. Having already watched his favourite club, Real Madrid, play live, Biders still dreams of attending a Champions League match in Madrid, Milan, or Manchester.

Whether on the football field or in the cockpit, the qualities required for success remain remarkably similar: preparation, teamwork, and a commitment to constant improvement. For Biders, those values continue to guide his journey from the pitch to the flight deck.