Pärnu Airport's future still awaits government decision

Pärnu city government has been waiting nearly two months for a clear response from the state about the airport's future, but only the defence ministry has provided substantive feedback. According to climate deputy secretary Sander Salmu, the city has been kept informed throughout the process and the government will discuss regional airports at the earliest opportunity.

Pärnu city government has not received a clear position from the state in almost two months regarding the future of the city's airport, despite the city mayor sending letters to four ministries back in May. The question is urgent, as one possible scenario on the table is airport closure; the facility currently does not serve regular flights.

Four ministries, one response

Pärnu Mayor Kristel Voltenberg sent letters in early May to the climate ministry, the regional affairs and agriculture ministry, the defence ministry, and the interior ministry. The city asked the climate ministry to consider alternative solutions before making a closure decision; the other three ministries were expected to provide sectoral support to maintain the airport's operational capacity.

Nearly two months later, only the defence ministry has provided substantive feedback, backing the preservation of the airport as strategically important for national defence. The interior ministry explained that the matter falls outside their remit, and informed the city accordingly. The regional affairs ministry acknowledged that the letter went unanswered but emphasised the importance of Ruhnu island connections and promised a response.

Voltenberg: good governance principles aren't working

On Friday, the mayor sent a reminder letter to the ministries. Voltenberg made no secret of her frustration with both the slow communication and the city's limited involvement in the decision-making process.

"Good governance principles presume that I, as mayor, should not have to write and remind ministries that we are still waiting for their position on such an important strategic issue, but rather that we should be kept informed as the process unfolds. We also have to plan our own steps. We also have to plan our budget. We also have questions that need answering," said Voltenberg.

According to the mayor, it remains unclear when the government will discuss the airport's future. The climate ministry submitted a regional airports development plan to the government in mid-June, but cabinet discussion has been postponed.

Salmu: no information blackout

Climate Ministry Deputy Secretary Sander Salmu rejected the mayor's criticism, claiming that Pärnu has been kept informed throughout the process.

"We certainly cannot agree with the notion that Pärnu was somehow in an information blackout. Pärnu has been involved in various discussions at the level of the mayor and council chair, meetings have taken place with the minister, official letters have been sent and responses provided through normal correspondence channels," said Salmu.

According to Salmu, the government did not manage to discuss regional airports in June, but will do so at the earliest opportunity. "It is very difficult to give a firm commitment as to when any given issue reaches the government agenda. It would be premature to say that a closure course has been chosen. That is certainly not the focus of discussion, and Pärnu has presented its views and proposals," he added.