As it continues supporting the relaunched Tartu–Helsinki air route, the City of Tartu hopes airlines will eventually open more market-based routes from the city. With the Tartu–Riga train launch still delayed, many foreign visitors continue to travel to Estonia’s second city by bus.
Since its relaunch last year, Tartu Airport has served a Tartu–Helsinki air route operated by Finnair, but the high-speed rail connection to Riga — planned for Tartu’s European Capital of Culture year — still has yet to launch.
According to Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis (Reform), who previously served as CEO of Tartu 2024, most visitors to Southern Estonia last year arrived by bus or car. For visitors coming from further away, however, air connections are vital.
The City of Tartu is currently supporting the Finnair route for a four-year period, and Mayor Urmas Klaas (Reform) believes that if the route continues to operate, interest in launching market-based flights from Estonia’s second city will increase significantly.
“Tartu and Southern Estonia have significant tourism and business potential,” Klaas highlighted. “With faster, more convenient connections, we could definitely organize even more scientific conferences.”
Source: ERR.EE