Meet Ingemar Paan – Airport City’s New Sales and Development Manager

We are pleased to welcome Ingemar Paan to the Airport City team as our new Sales and Development Manager. To get to know him better, we asked him a few questions:

1. What is your background and previous experience before joining the Airport City team?
I have always been involved in B2B sales. My experience includes real estate photography, car transit, and industrial chemicals. After living in Helsinki for 10 years, I returned to Estonia in 2019 and have spent the last six years working in commercial real estate.

2. What excites you most about the aviation and real estate industries?
Aviation is already somewhat familiar to me—I have about 100 hours of flight experience in the co-pilot seat of a helicopter while taking aerial photographs, although that was more than 15 years ago. In real estate, I am fascinated by architecture and its long-term impact on the environment. From a business perspective, I am particularly interested in how real estate influences people and their daily activities.
Aviation is exciting, and real estate is my field. The combination of both is truly unique.

3. What has been the most exciting project or experience in your career so far?
The most interesting and professionally rewarding experiences have been handling lease tenders and negotiations for major international corporations—representing both tenants and landlords. One of my biggest challenges was managing tenant relationships in a 16,000 m² commercial building undergoing full renovation, while 5,000 m² of the space remained occupied and operational.

4. What are your main goals and areas of focus in your new position?
First, I aim to get a clear picture of Airport City’s real estate portfolio, the planning stages of various projects, and what we can offer potential clients.
My focus will be on attracting tenants, conducting lease negotiations, and initiating and executing built-to-suit developments. The goal is to maximize the development potential of the available land and bring in high-value tenants that add significant benefits to the airport and the surrounding environment.

5. How do you see Airport City’s role in the development of Tallinn Airport and Estonia’s business landscape?
Airport City’s mission is to enhance the value of Tallinn Airport’s real estate (as well as regional airports), create a high-quality and attractive environment, and bring in businesses that add significant value.
Tallinn Airport is Estonia’s calling card—for many international visitors, it is their first impression of the country. A well-developed business environment at this gateway helps set a strong first impression of Estonia.

6. What opportunities and challenges do you see for Airport City’s development in the coming years?
Airport City’s unique location provides both opportunities and challenges. At the same time, it comes with a responsibility to both the city of Tallinn and the entire country. The challenge is to plan ahead, create zoning plans that remain attractive and relevant 10 or 20 years from now, and account for future technological advancements.

7. What do you think is Airport City’s biggest strength and uniqueness compared to other business districts?
Beyond its prime location, Airport City’s biggest strengths are our people and our unique ecosystem.
Logistically, we have a one-of-a-kind real estate portfolio adjacent to the airport. In Tallinn, we are positioned in what will become one of the most important transportation hubs in the country and the broader region. Additionally, we benefit from strong neighboring developments like Ülemiste City and Ülemiste Shopping Center.

8. If you had to describe Airport City in three words, what would they be?
Unique, ambitious, responsible.

9. What motivates and excites you most about your work?
The opportunity to work with top professionals in the field and create something that lasts for decades, influencing the lives of many people.

10. What is the best career advice you have ever received?
“Real estate is like a marathon—a sprint may give you quick results, but long-term success requires a well-planned strategy and a forward-looking vision.”