In 2021 Tallinn Airport provided services to 1.3 million passengers
In December, 166,379 passengers passed through Tallinn Airport, which is 70% of the pre-pandemic level. The average occupancy rate for regular flights in December was 56%.
According to Riivo Tuvike, Chairman of the Management Board of Tallinn Airport, December was a very good month in terms of the number of passengers: “Although winter is traditionally a low season in terms of travel, the last month of the year resulted in good passenger traffic – it was facilitated by improved flight schedule, which allowed direct flights to 34 destinations. We will continue to strive to offer a varied and flexible flight schedule with high quality services. We are happy that passengers continue to trust us and choose Tallinn Airport as their starting and ending destination.”
At the end of the year, 12 airlines provided regular flights from Tallinn Airport. In December, Ryanair possessed the largest market share – 23% of all passengers. In total, 36% of passengers used the services of low-cost airlines. The main destinations for direct flights were Helsinki, Riga, Frankfurt, and Stockholm. 80% of charter passengers went to Egypt and 20% to the Canary Islands.
In total, in 2021 Tallinn Airport provided services to 1,300,572 persons, which is 50% more than in the previous year, but 60% less than in 2019. Compared to the pre-crisis level, the number of passengers on regular flights recovered by an average of 37%, and on charter flights by 60%.
Tuvike said that the end of 2021 gives courage and confidence that the aviation industry is on the mend: “We are entering the new year with the goal of serving 2.5 million passengers.”
Due to the spread of the coronavirus and related restrictions, 2021 began with a decline in demand for air travel. In the first quarter, the number of passengers reached only 14%, and in the second 22% of the pre-pandemic level. The gradual recovery in the number of passengers in the second half of the year was significantly influenced by the introduction of a single EU coronavirus passport, which harmonized and simplified travel rules. As a result, in July the passenger traffic reached 50%, and in December 70% of the pre-crisis level.
During the year, Air Baltic carried the most passengers (22%), while the total share of low-cost airlines was 24%. Airline Swiss, a member of the Lufthansa group, launched flights to Tallinn – in July a regular line was launched between Zurich and Tallinn. Low-cost Ryanair and Wizz Air have opened several new destinations: Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Billund, Liverpool and other cities. In 2021 Tallinn Airport provided regular flights to 40 destinations (plus regular charter flights).
