OREANDA-NEWS. May 16, 2012. Estonian Air's new strategy contributed to significant increase in passengers - almost double the passengers compared to previous year. In April Estonian Air carried altogether 85 583 passengers, which is 76.7% increase compared to last year. The load factor of Estonian Air flights in April was 67.2% which is 10.3 percentage points higher than year before, reported the press-centre of Estonian Air. 

In the first four months of 2012, Estonian Air carried altogether 224 747 passengers, which is 33.3% more than during the same period last year. On regular flights Estonian Air carried 224 307 passengers, which is 39.9% more than last year.

Estonian Air operated 5241 flights in the first four months, which is 54.5% more flights than last year. In April 2057 flights were operated, which is 135.6% more flights than last year.

The regularity of Estonian Air flights in the first four months was 98.4% and the 15-minute punctuality was 82.5%. In Aril the regularity and the punctuality were 97.2% and 77.9% respectively.

"April was an extraordinary month for us. We have experienced strongest growth and positive increase in future bookings. The new strategy is the biggest change in Estonian aviation in past 20 years,“ said Rauno Parras, CCO of Estonian Air

„Increase in our flight frequencies has also created unfortunate side effects. Our punctuality and reliability was the best in world last year, but this year it has dropped to the levels of competition and we are not happy with that. We are fixing the processes and discussing with our suppliers to reach the highest reliability and punctuality in the industry again,“ added Parras.

AS Estonian Air, Estonia’s national carrier, provides both business travellers and tourists direct air link from Estonia to European cities. Estonian Air is the biggest operator at Tallinn Airport. Estonian Air focuses on improving the connection between Estonia and the rest of the world with the aim of increasing competitiveness as a network carrier hub.

Estonian Air flies to 24 destinations in CIS, Scandinavia and Europe. The airline has recently announced new destinations for next summer, such as Helsinki, Riga, Jyvaskyla, Hannover, Vienna, Venice, Joensuu, Kajaani and Tbilisi.

The ticket prices start at 39.90 euros, if purchased from www.estonian-air.com, including all fees and taxes, baggage, snacks and soft drinks on longer flights and soft drinks on flights that last less than 1 hour.