Airport, Estonia, Tourism, Transport

Ratas told the local radio station Kadi that a new and bigger aircraft is definitely needed. "It is clear that this route needs to be operated with a bigger aircraft than now," he said according to regional newspaper Saarte Haal.

In August 2017, passengers using the Tallinn-Kuressaare-Tallinn service numbered 1,725, making for an average load factor of 83%," Rene Must, executive at the Transaviabaltika airline that operates the two island routes, said.

The service to Estonia's second biggest island Hiiumaa, Tallinn-Kardla-Tallinn, was used by 1,131 passengers, meaning an average load factor of 54%.

In the same month a year ago passengers of the Kuressaare service numbered 1,332 and the average load factor was 63%. Passengers of the Tallinn-Kardla-Tallinn service numbered 1,054 and the average load factor was 45%.

Speaking about ferry connections with the large western islands, the prime minister said that he is more than confident that also a fifth passenger ferry is necessary for the island routes.

The contract of Transaviabaltika to operate subsidized air services to Estonia's two largest runs until May 31, 2019. The company flies 12 times a week each on the Tallinn-Kuressaare-Tallinn and the Tallinn-Kardla-Tallinn route.