Saaremaa and Hiiumaa have expressed concerns over the rising flight ticket prices between their islands and Tallinn, which they attribute to a sharp decline in passenger numbers. Currently, flying from Tallinn to Kuressaare costs passengers 72 euros, while the journey to Kärdla is priced at 68 euros. Local officials argue that this price increase has deterred travelers, prompting a push to revert ticket prices back to 2024 levels, which would see round-trip fares drop to 60 euros for Kuressaare and 56 euros for Kärdla.

The mayors of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa highlight the impact of rising ticket prices on transport demand, citing data from January that shows a decline in passengers on the Kärdla-Tallinn route, from nearly 900 in January 2024 to just 632 this year. They are calling for the government to recognize the negative correlation between fare hikes and passenger volume, emphasizing the necessity of affordable travel to stimulate tourism and connectivity.

While there are currently no plans from the government to lower fares, they are monitoring passenger trends closely. The mayors are hopeful that by reinstating previous fare levels, they can reverse the declining passenger trend and make air travel more appealing for residents and visitors alike, promoting economic recovery and better accessibility for the islands.