Tallinn airport sets passenger record but expects winter decline

Tallinn Airport broke passenger records in every month over the past year, but expects travel to decline this winter, ERR reported, citing the airport’s commercial director, Eero Pärgmäe.

Nearly 356,000 passengers passed through the airport in September, 13% more than in the same month last year and the busiest September in its history. In the first nine months of 2026, the airport handled 2.89 million passengers, up 12% year on year. All-time monthly records were set in May, June, July and August.

In September, scheduled flights from Tallinn served 41 destinations. Wizz Air, which has expanded in Tallinn over the past year, carried 16% of the airport’s passengers and flew to nine destinations. AirBaltic remained the largest airline, with a 27% market share. In total, 22 airlines operated scheduled and charter flights from Tallinn to more than 50 destinations.

Scheduled flights accounted for 90% of passengers and charter flights for the remaining 10%. Antalya was the leading destination for charter travel, while holiday destinations in Greece and Montenegro were also popular. The winter travel season to Egypt began in September. Warsaw was the most popular direct scheduled route, followed by Helsinki, Riga, Stockholm and Frankfurt.

Flight operations rose 5% year on year to 4,031 landings and take-offs in September, an average of 134 a day.

Pärgmäe said airlines were likely to reduce winter schedules because airBaltic is cutting flights as part of its restructuring and high jet fuel prices are affecting carriers. He said passenger numbers next year could be around last year’s level or slightly lower.

Passenger numbers also increased at Estonia’s regional airports in September, reaching 9,078 compared with 8,191 a year earlier. Tartu handled 4,847 passengers, Kuressaare 3,008 and Kärdla 1,111. Pärnu served 104 passengers and Ruhnu airfield eight.