The City of Tartu is to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to increase the support issued from the state budget for the operation of Tartu Airport by at least €200,000 compared to the current sum beginning in 2019, Klaas said in a letter to Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kadri Simson (Center).

"Altogether €300,000 has been allocated in this year's Tartu city budget for the development of Tartu flight connections," Klaas said. "Following the announcement of the city's support measure and discussions with various airlines, we reached the conclusion that the most sensible option right now would be to continue cooperating with Finnish airline Finnair."

According to the mayor, the changed flight schedule will mean additional operating expenses for Tartu Airport, which is owned by AS Tallinna Lennujaam. Namely, the City of Tartu concluded an agreement with Finnair in January under which it would pay the airline €69,000 to ensure better departure times.

"As a result of negotiations held with AS Tallinna Lennujaam, the City of Tartu has given its consent to cover the expenses of operating Tartu Airport in 2018 in the amount of €170,000," Klaas said. "At the same time, we are aware of the circumstance that despite the support earmarked in the state budget for the operation of regional airports and the aforementioned earmarked support of the City of Tartu, Tartu Airport is not being operated in a profitable manner."