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Estonian Air – Flight and Travel Information
From humble beginnings, Estonian Air has grown into an important European airline in a short space of time, operating flights to some 21 destinations across the continent.
The airline was founded in December 1991, immediately after Estonian independence was restored following decades of Soviet occupation.
Since then, like the country it calls home, the airline has seen many changes. As Estonia has grown economically, politically and socially - to the point where it joined the EU in 2004 - so its national airline has also grown to reflect the country's changing needs.
When it started in 1991, the airline operated Soviet-built aircraft, but it was quickly accepted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), gaining membership in 1992.
Shortly afterwards the airline signed its first joint venture agreement, with Finland's Amadeus group, which led to the creation of a distribution network providing support to travel agents, known as Amadeus-Eesti.
In 1995, the airline reached a milestone in its history, as it began the phased withdrawal of its antiquated, Soviet-made jets from service, to be replaced by brand new Boeings.
The first of the new planes was a Boeing 737-500 built especially for Estonian Air, but leased from the International Lease Finance Corporation, which began flying in July 1995.
This new aircraft was swiftly followed by a second 737, which began operations in 1996.
Later the same year, Estonian Air leased two Fokker 50s from Maersk Airlines, a Danish carrier.
Today, the airline's fleet comprises six aircraft - two Boeing 737-500s, two Boeing 737-300s and two Saab 340s.
In 1998, Estonian Air's status as an international player was confirmed with a long-term cooperation agreement with SAS Scandinavian, a major international airline, and the commencement of code share flights with its Latvian neighbour's national airline, Air Baltic.
The following year, Estonian Air began full code-sharing operations with SAS on the routes from Tallinn to the Scandinavian capitals Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen.
In July 2009, the carrier further strengthened its cooperative bonds when it stepped up its partnership with KLM, offering travellers the opportunity to book tickets that link between the two airlines' services.
Estonian Air has also developed an extensive route network of its own and offers ten flights per week between Tallinn and Vilnius, including evening services on Mondays and Fridays.
On July 27th 2009, the carrier also introduced a new direct service linking Tallinn to the city of St Petersburg in Russia.
Its international network also stretches to destinations including London, Athens, Paris, Barcelona and Rome.
In 2002, Estonian Air dramatically cut its prices, slashing the cost of economy-class seats sevenfold, as it began to compete with British and Irish low-cost carriers.
In September of 2003, the airline's potential profitability was recognised by the SAS group, which joined forces with Maersk to buy 49 per cent of Estonian Air's shares.
The Estonian government now owns 34 per cent of the company, SAS 49 per cent and AS Cresco owns the remainder.
Today, Estonian Air is a successful international company, which conforms to the highest standards in safety and customer service.
Estonian Air's economy-class service currently features an option for passengers to order a hot meal on regular flights that last longer than two hours, such as those to Brussels, London, Munich and Dublin.
Meals can be ordered up to 48 hours before the departure of the flight.
In the premium-class cabin, all passengers are provided with free breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on the flight duration and time of departure, as well as a selection of beverages.
Estonian Air offers several other facilities that help make the travel experience as enjoyable and relaxing as possible for passengers, including online check-in and onboard services for people with special needs or disabilities.
The airline carried more than 440,000 passengers in the first nine months of 2010, representing an increase of over 3,000 people compared with the previous year.
