CALLS ON ESTONIAN GOVT TO REDUCE ACCESS COSTS TO GROW TRAFFIC & TOURISM
Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, today (Wed, 11 March) announced its Summer ‘26 Tallinn schedule, operating 6 routes with no year‑on‑year growth, following Tallinn Airport’s decision to maintain excessive access costs that continue to damage Estonia’s connectivity, tourism, and competitiveness.
While other European markets – including Italy, Slovakia and Sweden – are reducing or abolishing aviation taxes to stimulate traffic and jobs (which has delivered significant Ryanair growth in those countries), Estonia continues to move in the opposite direction, with Tallinn Airport charges up by +70% in 2025, making Estonia one of the least competitive markets in the region and driving traffic growth to more cost‑competitive markets. As a direct consequence of these excessive costs, Tallinn is now missing out on proven, immediate traffic growth, leaving Estonian consumers with fewer destinations and higher prices.
Despite multiple attempts to engage constructively, no action has been taken to reduce access charges. This continued inaction is diverting capacity to more competitive EU markets that actively support traffic recovery. Until Tallinn reverses its uncompetitive access cost, Ryanair cannot restore growth in Estonia. Ryanair again calls on the Estonian Government to urgently reverse these cost increases and implement a pro‑growth aviation strategy that will deliver lower fares, jobs and traffic growth to Estonia
Ryanair’s Head of Comms for CEE & Baltics, Alicja Wójcik-Gołębiowska, said:
“Ryanair is announcing a flat Summer ‘26 schedule for Tallinn—just 6 routes and no growth—because Estonia continues to ignore the basic economics of low‑cost aviation. Airport charges rose by +70% in 2025, which is driving traffic, jobs, and tourism away from Estonia and into more competitive markets.
We have repeatedly shown—across countries like Italy, Slovakia, Sweden – that when governments reduce access costs, Ryanair instantly responds with more routes, more seats, and more investment. But in Estonia, high charges mean our hands are tied.
Tallinn Airport is now falling behind its European competitors. Estonian passengers are paying the price—with fewer destinations and higher fares—because their government and airport refuse to adopt a pro‑growth aviation policy. Ryanair stands ready to deliver new routes, and lower fares for Estonia, but this requires immediate action from the Government to reduce access costs and restore competitiveness.”
Unless these excessive charges are reversed, Estonia will continue losing connectivity while neighbouring countries capitalise on Ryanair’s growth. The solution is simple: lower airport costs, and we will grow in Tallinn—delivering traffic, tourism, and jobs. Failure to act will leave Estonian families and businesses stuck with shrinking choice and rising fares.”