Direct Flights Now Available Between Kuressaare and Helsinki 

On 8 June, Finnair launched a new direct route between Kuressaare and Helsinki. Flights will operate until 7 August, with up to four weekly departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight time is approximately 50 minutes. Services are operated with an ATR72 aircraft, accommodating nearly 70 passengers.

According to Eero Pärgmäe, Member of the Management Board of Tallinn Airport, the new route between Saaremaa and Finland will make travel between the two destinations significantly more convenient than before. It offers Finnish visitors an easy way to enjoy Saaremaa during the summer season, while giving Saaremaa residents the opportunity to explore the world via Helsinki.

“Finland is now just 50 minutes away for the people of Saaremaa and offers something for the whole family. Culture enthusiasts can enjoy world-class museums, city lovers can experience the vibrant urban atmosphere, and visitors can indulge in a diverse range of culinary experiences. In addition, travelling via Helsinki provides access to more than one hundred destinations around the world,” said Pärgmäe, adding that the new route will provide a significant boost to both local development and tourism.

Saaremaa Municipality Mayor Rainer Antsaar said that Finnair’s decision to launch a summer route between Helsinki and Kuressaare is a highly significant and welcome development for Saaremaa and its residents. “For us, every direct connection is of great value, as it improves the island’s accessibility, brings more visitors to Saaremaa, and creates new travel opportunities for local residents. I hope that, in addition to welcoming guests arriving in Saaremaa, our own people will also actively make use of this connection to Finland. The more this route is used, the stronger the foundation for its continuation and future development. We would like to thank Finnair and all partners who have contributed to making this route a reality.”

“We are delighted to add a third Estonian destination, Kuressaare, to our network,” says Arunas Skuja, Market Director at Finnair. “We expect the new route to attract especially Finnish travellers looking for nearby summer holiday destinations, as well as our international customers from across our wider network who are keen to explore the Baltics. For the people of Saaremaa, the route will provide a smooth gateway via our Helsinki home hub to Finnair’s extensive network of destinations across Europe, Asia and North America.”

Photo: Jarek Jõepera