Ryanair adds eighth direct route to Tallinn

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has announced a new direct route from the UK to Tallinn with a new three times weekly route from East Midlands starting in summer 2011.

The news comes ahead of the capital of Estonia hosting around 7000 cultural events during 2011 as European Capital of Culture, in a year which also marks Estonia’s 20th anniversary of re-independence following Soviet withdrawal in 1991. The East Midlands route is in addition to Ryanair's recently announced direct flights from London Luton to Tallinn, starting on 10th January 2011, from Dublin to Tallinn (from 14th December 2010) and from Edinburgh to Tallinn starting on 10th January.

In October easyJet announced their second direct route to Tallinn with a new three times weekly flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, starting on 26th April 2011, as well as regular flights from London Stansted, and in November the country’s national carrier Estonian Air confirmed it is doubling its direct Gatwick to Tallinn flights from March 27th 2011, with four flights per week.

Estonia Tourst Board’s director, Tarmo Mutso, said “We are delighted with the airlines’ confidence in Estonia as a tourist destination. Throughout 2011 Tallinn is hosting a daily programme of cultural events that includes music, art, literature, exhibitions and festivals, many of them centered around the theme of Tallinn reconnecting with its coastline with the construction of a new Maritime Museum and new promenade. The celebrations will greatly increase Tallinn’s attraction for visiting British and Irish guests in 2011”.