Riivo Tuvike says that Estonia has too many airports. He points out that the biggest challenge for Estonian aviation is a small market and an inefficient network of regional airports.
Tallinn Airport is a good example of a complex situation. Estonia has a small population, and competing airports are too close. Flying here is expensive.
The fuel shortage currently affects Western European countries more. The Baltics and Scandinavia depend more on local refineries.
The rise in fuel prices may affect the profitability of airlines. Fuel makes up about 30% of airline costs. Although prices are high, Tuvike does not believe that many people will stop flying.
The problem in Estonia is that there are few travelers. If there are not enough passengers, airlines adjust their routes.
Wizz Air has opened many new routes in Estonia. Ryanair and Wizz Air compete with each other, but currently, there is no indication that Ryanair will reopen the same routes.
Air Baltic is facing difficulties and has reduced its routes. Airlines are assessing the profitability of routes due to the rise in fuel prices.
The number of passengers at Tallinn Airport increased by four percent in the first three months. Even more flights are planned for the summer.
Regional airports, such as Pärnu, Kuressaare, and Kärdla, are unprofitable. Only Tallinn Airport is profitable.
Riivo Tuvike says that Estonia has too many airports per person. The airport network needs to be optimized.
Pärnu Airport does not have regular flights. Kärdla and Kuressaare have daily flights. Finnair operates in Tartu.
The Estonian state supports Tallinn Airport to keep fees low. The airport fee subsidy program does not apply to flights to Egypt.
The Kuressaare-Helsinki route was opened because Finnair had a free plane. Kuressaare was a convenient choice because driving there is too long.