Estonian Air set unachievable goals: Former CEO

Estonian Air set unachievable goals according to former Estonian Air CEO Erki Urva (ERR News, 01-Nov-2012). Mr Urva said the airline attempted to make Tallinn Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport a regional hub, however, it was unable to do so due to the small nature of the Estonian market. The airline was also unable to offer a large number of destinations at competitive fares. Mr Urva said "at least in Central and Eastern Europe, there isn't a single airline that has succeeded with such a strategy". Mr Urvu said the airline needs to consolidate its operation, cancel unprofitable routes and reduce frequencies. "After that it will be possible to start expanding again. The source of the problems was excessively rapid and explosive expansion. Had it been done at the right pace, perhaps things wouldn't have gone so badly," Mr Urva said. Mr Urva led the airline from 2000 to 2005.