The Estonian state-owned Nordica airlines start operating on St. Petersburg – Tallinn route as of May 15. 88-seat Bombardiers CRJ900 will be flying between the cities three days a week with 50-minute travel time. That’s absolutely positive news, but two main issues remain unclear: schedule and fare.
The airlines’ representative and management of the St. Petersburg Pulkovo airport are very optimistic about the prospects of air communication resumed after The Estonian Air had ceased operations in fall 2015 due to insolvency. Though Nordica remains tight-leaped about schedule and fare and doesn’t respond to a media request by St. Petersburg Travel Guide.
The fare is a key factor determining how successful and economically viable flights will be. Currently, travelers can easily get onboard of a train for 1600 – 5900 rubles ($27-100) or a bus of Lux Express for just 700 rubles ($12). The advantage of the airlines in travel time is not of a great importance for the vast majority of travelers as a trip by bus or train takes a few hours.
Nordica will end their flights in late October, the company said in press statement.