Estonian Air reports October 2008 traffic

In the first ten month of 2008 Estonian Air carried altogether 660,288 passengers, 602,492 of these on regular flights. The total number of passengers increased 4% y-o-y, on regular flights 8.7 %, while Tallinn Airport passenger numbers increased by 8.1% and 5.3% respectively.

In October Estonian Air carried 69,215 passengers, out of which 63,281 on regular flights. The number of passengers on regular flights increased 2.3% y-o-y while Tallinn Airport passenger number on regular flights decreased by 2.3%. The total number of passengers on Estonian Air flights decreased 8.7% y-o-y, due to a drop in charter market.

In the first ten months of the year the market share of Estonian Air in the regular flights segment at Tallinn Airport was 46%, which is 2 percentage points higher y-o-y. The total market share (regular and charter flights) was 42%, which is 2 percentage points lower y-o-y.

In October the market share of Estonian Air in the regular flights segment at Tallinn Airport was 47.9% and the total market share was 42.3%.

"Estonian Air plans its activities very long time ahead, based on thorough economic analyses. In order to strengthen the competitiveness of the company today and in the future, we need to take radical and decisive steps. Estonian Air is adjusting its business in accordance with the situation in the market. One of the key issues is to introduce advanced aircraft with lower cost base that suit the market conditions," said Andrus Aljas, Estonian Air President and CEO. "We are doing everything in our power to increase the company's flexibility and competitive edge, and to widen our customers' perspectives to travel." added Aljas.

Estonian Air operated 10,601 flights in the first ten months of the year, which is 27.6% more flights y-o-y. In October 1,174 flights were operated, which is 3.9% less flights y-o-y.

The regularity of Estonian Air in the first ten months was 99.1% and the 15-minute punctuality was 85.1%. In October the regularity and punctuality were 99.3% and 85.9% respectively.

Estonian Air, Estonia's national carrier, was founded on 1 December 1991. Estonian Air, with head-quarters in Tallinn, provides for both business travellers and tourists direct air link from Estonia to many European cities.

In spring 2007 Estonian Air established a subsidiary company Estonian Air Regional which operates Estonian Air's domestic and short-haul flights to neighbouring regions.

Estonian Air carried 745 600 passengers in 2007.
Estonian Air is owned by the SAS Group, the State of Estonia and the Estonian investment bank Cresco.