TALLINN — Latvian national carrier airBaltic announced Friday that it is considering on buying the troubled Estonian Air.

Jānis Vanags said that airBaltic is interested in opening new direct flights from Tallinn, and the best way to do so is to buy a share in Estonian Air.

“We are seriously considering to take over the Estonian carrier,” Vanags told in the news show “Aktuaalne Kaamera” Friday evening.

Vanags said airBaltic plans is looking to start operating from Tallinn to Sweden and Finland.

The main shareholder of Estonian Air is the SAS Group with 49 percent, but has been looking to sell its shares since 2008. The Estonian national government controls 34 percent of the financially struggling airline. Meanwhile the state-owned airBaltic is on the warpath, adding nine new routes last month.

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