Aeronautics
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, press briefing
Date: 2025-02-26 14:29
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Within the framework of the third question, the topic of aviation was discussed: The Riigikogu asked Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet whether the Estonian state should intervene in aviation regarding Tallinn Airport fees and the sustainability of routes. Ryanair's announcement to close six routes from Tallinn starting in April generated some expectations and fears, as the reason given was the increase in airport fees. Other airlines (Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines, AirBaltic) also pointed to operational directions in Tallinn (various routes, partial or complete closures) and the noteworthy platform-based intention of the Dubai route. The central question was whether the Estonian state should intervene to ensure affordable flight options, a wider selection of destinations, and the sustainability of aviation in the European periphery.
Minister Svet responded that competition functions in the market and that state intervention in business negotiations is not recommended. He emphasized that trends in Tallinn show growth in both the number of routes and passenger capacity, and that the strategy is based on cooperation between the airport and private capital. A central element was also the sale of Nordica's assets and the channeling of the revenue into airport development, and there are ongoing plans to increase routes and daily flight operations, according to his assessment, within market conditions. However, it remained unaccented that the state does not want to intervene in individual business negotiations, but trusts the functioning of the market and the use of its infrastructure acceleration opportunities.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made; the discussion remains consultative and future measures lack the emphasis of a precisely established decision.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vladimir Svet (Minister of Entrepreneurship), who gave a number of speeches and comments on the topics of aviation, fees, and the desirability of state intervention. Due to his position representing the Riigikogu, he is classified as “other,” meaning neither right-wing nor left-wing, but rather a member of the government, whose role is akin to that of a minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announces that we are moving on to the third question directed at Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet, and it will be presented by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev on the topic of aviation.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Rising airport fees in Tallinn lead to the closure of Ryanair and other routes and to price increases, affecting up to 80,000 people, requiring government intervention and raising the question of whether Estonian aviation will remain a European periphery in the future and a limited, often high-priced flight option.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet corrected the factual statements, stating that the increase in airport charges is not 70%. He announced airBaltic's plans to add Barcelona, Reykjavik and Tirana to Tallinn's network and to increase flight frequencies, and to increase by 2030 the number of overnight-staying aircraft. He emphasized that there is a functioning market in aviation and that Tallinn Airport is in a strong competitive position, which was evident last year with a record number of passengers, and warned that government intervention or meddling in business negotiations for political gain would be wrong.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks the minister and invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to pose a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that AirBaltic's expansion plans are still only plans and may not come to fruition, and emphasizes that the Estonian government plays an important role in maintaining the competitiveness of aviation and in preserving low-cost flight routes.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet said that the new AirBaltic destinations opening from Tallinn are already open, with one more arriving in May and another in June, and that the plan is to sell Nordica aircraft from Transpordi Varahaldus and to channel the proceeds from the sale into the development of Tallinn Airport and air traffic, while emphasizing that Ryanair's aggressive pressure does not help and that the airport should be left to professionals to do the work.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair Lauri Hussar thanked and gave his colleague Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart the floor to pose an additional question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker criticizes the state owner's policy, which forces state-owned companies to pay dividends and investments, thereby increasing the price of airline tickets, turning travel into a luxury, and asks whether such a policy will be changed and how to ensure affordable travel for everyone regardless of income.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson expressed great gratitude and made a request to the minister.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet affirms that Tallinn Airport's security charges are not significantly higher than those in Riga, and aviation is a service for which you have to pay, and he notes that Ryanair's closure of its Billund base does not stem from Estonian charges but from the company's strategy, calling on politicians to let the specialists do their work.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked the minister, concluded the discussion on the third question, and announced that before moving on to the fourth question the procedure for conducting the meeting must be reviewed; Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, please.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart thanked, and, for the record in terms of name and protocol, clarified that she had mixed up the airport fee and the security fee. She noted that airport fees in Tallinn are higher than in Riga and Vilnius, and said that she had a question about the dividend policy and the owner, to which, unfortunately, there was no answer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you, this was not a question about the protocol for conducting the meeting, and the transcript has now been put in writing as your clarification.