TALLINN — Ryanair is looking to open flights to Tallinn, but the deal is apparently being held back by Tallinn Airport’s landing fees.
Ryanair has been approaching the Estonian Ministry of Economy and Communications for several years, the last occasion being in March, asking the ministry to reduce the airport taxes for Ryanair passengers and cut the airport tax after the 950,000th passenger. The carrier boasted that [private_supervisor]it would bring 1.5 million passengers to Tallinn annually.
However, Rasmus Ruuda, a Ministry of Economy said that the ministry cannot pay the airport taxes for Ryanair costumers, as then it would have to do the same for Estonian Air.
“The minister welcomes Ryanair in Tallinn, but European Union legislation does not allow the ministry to create a competition advantage for certain companies,” Ruuda told Baltic Reports.
The Ministry of Economy has consistently replied to Ryanair inquiry saying that the airport fares are set by Tallinn Airport and the ministry cannot intervene.
When asked by Baltic Reports, Erik Sakkov, the director of marketing and sales in Tallinn Airport declined to comment the subject.
Is co-financing an option?
Minister of Economy Juhan Parts told the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper that Tallinn Airport should get the co- financing from tourism companies who win the most with Ryanair’s arrival. Those suggested would be hotels and other companies in Estonian tourism sector.
“Our hotels are half empty at the moment. If a person pays about 1,000 krooni (€639) per day, and if I would have to pay 5 percent from it as a hotelkeeper, then it is positive,” said Parts. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]it would bring 1.5 million passengers to Tallinn annually.
However, Rasmus Ruuda, a Ministry of Economy said that the ministry cannot pay the airport taxes for Ryanair costumers, as then it would have to do the same for Estonian Air.
“The minister welcomes Ryanair in Tallinn, but European Union legislation does not allow the ministry to create a competition advantage for certain companies,” Ruuda told Baltic Reports.
The Ministry of Economy has consistently replied to Ryanair inquiry saying that the airport fares are set by Tallinn Airport and the ministry cannot intervene.
When asked by Baltic Reports, Erik Sakkov, the director of marketing and sales in Tallinn Airport declined to comment the subject.
Is co-financing an option?
Minister of Economy Juhan Parts told the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper that Tallinn Airport should get the co- financing from tourism companies who win the most with Ryanair’s arrival. Those suggested would be hotels and other companies in Estonian tourism sector.
“Our hotels are half empty at the moment. If a person pays about 1,000 krooni (€639) per day, and if I would have to pay 5 percent from it as a hotelkeeper, then it is positive,” said Parts. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]it would bring 1.5 million passengers to Tallinn annually.
However, Rasmus Ruuda, a Ministry of Economy said that the ministry cannot pay the airport taxes for Ryanair costumers, as then it would have to do the same for Estonian Air.
“The minister welcomes Ryanair in Tallinn, but European Union legislation does not allow the ministry to create a competition advantage for certain companies,” Ruuda told Baltic Reports.
The Ministry of Economy has consistently replied to Ryanair inquiry saying that the airport fares are set by Tallinn Airport and the ministry cannot intervene.
When asked by Baltic Reports, Erik Sakkov, the director of marketing and sales in Tallinn Airport declined to comment the subject.
Is co-financing an option?
Minister of Economy Juhan Parts told the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper that Tallinn Airport should get the co- financing from tourism companies who win the most with Ryanair’s arrival. Those suggested would be hotels and other companies in Estonian tourism sector.
“Our hotels are half empty at the moment. If a person pays about 1,000 krooni (€639) per day, and if I would have to pay 5 percent from it as a hotelkeeper, then it is positive,” said Parts. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]it would bring 1.5 million passengers to Tallinn annually.
However, Rasmus Ruuda, a Ministry of Economy said that the ministry cannot pay the airport taxes for Ryanair costumers, as then it would have to do the same for Estonian Air.
“The minister welcomes Ryanair in Tallinn, but European Union legislation does not allow the ministry to create a competition advantage for certain companies,” Ruuda told Baltic Reports.
The Ministry of Economy has consistently replied to Ryanair inquiry saying that the airport fares are set by Tallinn Airport and the ministry cannot intervene.
When asked by Baltic Reports, Erik Sakkov, the director of marketing and sales in Tallinn Airport declined to comment the subject.
Is co-financing an option?
Minister of Economy Juhan Parts told the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper that Tallinn Airport should get the co- financing from tourism companies who win the most with Ryanair’s arrival. Those suggested would be hotels and other companies in Estonian tourism sector.
“Our hotels are half empty at the moment. If a person pays about 1,000 krooni (€639) per day, and if I would have to pay 5 percent from it as a hotelkeeper, then it is positive,” said Parts. [/private_subscription 1 year]
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