The future of Pärnu Airport is currently ambiguous as it approaches another summer without international flights, having only serviced roughly 1,000 passengers last year. The airport, which currently only operates flights to Ruhnu and charter services, has seen significant reductions in traffic and is under pressure from local governments to consider privatization. Local authorities are now confronted with how to best move forward amid ongoing discussions regarding its viability and future contributions to the region's mobility.

Finnish company Redstone Aero has expressed interest in taking over operations of Pärnu Airport but has stipulated that the continuation of financial support is a prerequisite for their involvement. They propose starting flights from Finland and Sweden, thus potentially increasing connectivity for the airport. Esa Korjula, the CEO of Redstone Aero, has emphasized the need for decisive action and collaborative understanding from local and national government entities before they can proceed with any agreements.

Currently, the Estonian government provides approximately €500,000 annually to support the airport’s maintenance, supplemented by up to €600,000 from the city of Pärnu. As the airport faces yet another summer lacking in regular international service, local stakeholders must weigh the economic implications of keeping the airport operational versus the potential benefits of privatization and new management.