Pärnu’s new government rejects taking over airport operations
Monday 24th August 2026 on 18:30 in
Estonia
Pärnu’s new city government does not want to operate Pärnu Airport and instead wants the Ministry of Climate to find a private operator through a public tender, ERR reports.
The ministry proposed in July that the municipality take over the airport’s operation. The airport, renovated five years ago at a cost of 18 million euros, has not started operating as expected, and authorities have been seeking a solution for its future.
“When the discussion on regional airports took place in the government cabinet at the beginning of July, the principle was supported of deciding whether to give Pärnu’s operation to the city, its local government, or hold an open tender to see whether the private sector is interested in operating the airport. That is our alternative,” said Sander Salmu, deputy secretary general for mobility at the Ministry of Climate.
However, the city’s new administration does not want to take over the airport. “The current coalition believes that the state could put it out to public tender and thereby find an operator. The city does not plan to start running the airport. Just as we are not professional bread bakers, we are even less airport operators,” Pärnu Mayor Siim Suursild of Isamaa said.
Suursild said the city plans to finalise its position during September. Pärnu and the state currently cover the airport’s operating costs, each contributing hundreds of thousands of euros annually. It remains unclear whether similar support would continue if a public tender is held.
“Pärnu had an interest in taking over the operation. We met with the municipality, but because the administration has changed, we need to meet with them again to determine whether and under what conditions they are prepared to continue providing support,” Salmu said.
Suursild said the city remained interested in air connections, but not in operating the airport as a standalone facility.
“Connections are certainly important for Pärnu, but not the airport as a separate entity. We are not certain that it should be maintained by Pärnu taxpayers. Looking at flight routes to Pärnu is a completely different question, and it is something the current city government would seriously consider,” he said.