Aviation

One of the main tasks of the Ministry of Climate is to contribute to the development of national development plans related to civil aviation, aviation security, technical condition of aircraft, the aviation industry, aerodromes and airports. The Ministry is also responsible for monitoring their implementation and performance, as well as preparing draft legislation in this field. The Government of the Republic, the Ministry of Climate and the Transport Administration exercise the state administration of civil aviation within the scope of competence provided for in the Aviation Act.

Primary Goals

International co-operation, representation of the interests of Estonia

The primary interest of the Estonian state is to represent the aviation sector in international organisations and advocate for its needs. To achieve this, the Estonian Aviation Cluster, as the umbrella organisation representing the sector, is regularly involved, along with companies affected by relevant changes.

The Ministry of Climate is also responsible for organising the preparation and conclusion of international co-operation agreements and transnational air service agreements, as well as the designation of non-EU air operators to routes. Estonian air operators benefit from the opportunities provided by the EU single market, allowing them to offer services in foreign markets under EU-wide air transport agreements.

Estonia participates in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) through representation at its triennial assembly. Additionally, Estonia is actively involved in the activities of the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and the regional association NORDICAO.

The full positions of the state are formalised as positions of the Government of the Republic, where necessary. 

Aviation safety conditions, sustainable judicial area

The area of government of the Ministry of Climate is responsible for ensuring that the judicial area is up-to-date with the needs of the sector and international requirements. Changes to the legislation are made with the involvement of the aviation sector in accordance with the principles of good involvement practice.

The safety policy and objectives, management of safety risks, safety assurance and safety promotion related to ensuring aviation safety are organised in co-operation with the Transport Administration and the situation is reflected in the state aviation safety programme. The main requirements in this field arise from the Aviation Act.

Competitiveness growth factors

The Aviation Department of the Ministry of Climate and entrepreneurship promoting fields contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the aviation sector. The objective of the State is to promote sectoral investments, high-quality air services and service innovation for both commercial air transport and unmanned aviation. We also contribute to sectoral environmental protection with the aim of achieving long-term goals in aviation and climate-neutral aviation by 2050 in accordance with the commitments made at the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2022.

Co-operation with the sector and agencies

The Aviation Department of the Ministry of Climate manages the airspace policy of Estonia and organises the flexible use of the Estonian airspace. The good practice of the Ministry is to involve the representatives and agencies of the sector in the formulation of positions. In 2023, the work of the Committee on Aviation will continue in the form of a round table and the sectoral development action plan will be finalised.

Airspace policy

The Estonian airspace policy integrates national principles for the use and management of Estonian airspace, as well as guidelines for civil aviation and the execution of state duties.

The airspace policy of Estonia is implemented by the Committee for Management of Use of Airspace, established by the Government of the Republic. The process of renewing the airspace policy document began in 2023.

The Estonian airspace policy document is based on the principles of flexible use of airspace in accordance with EU regulations and also takes into account the airspace policy document of NEFAB.

The aim of the airspace policy of Estonia is to provide guidance to the agencies responsible for managing the airspace and enhance airspace capacity through modern technical solutions in such a way that ensures the safety and regularity of civil and military air traffic efficiently.

The benefits of flexible organisation of airspace are manifold:

• Improved airspace capacity
• Reduced air traffic management costs
• Increased cost-efficiency of flights through optimised flight distance, time and fuel consumption
• Reduced delays in airports and en route
• Enhanced co-ordination of civil and military air operations and improved methodology for mutual airspace use and allocation

Flexible use of airspace

Based on a decision of the Government of the Republic, the Ministry of Climate leads the work of the Committee for the Management of the Use of Airspace to ensure the flexible use of Estonian airspace for civil and national defence purposes.

The Flexible Use of Airspace and Airspace Management Working Group meets regularly with the Transport Administration, Ministry of Defence, Air Force and Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS, Lennuliiklusteeninduse Aktsiaselts). The use of airspace and the decisions concerning it are the sovereign right of the State.

The High-Level Airspace Policy Body is responsible for airspace management policy in Estonia, which is guided by the Airspace Management Manual. The work of the Body ensures the safe, efficient and flexible use of airspace and the transparency of operations by co-ordinating the needs of all users regarding the use of airspace. The Transport Administration is responsible for the management, co-ordination and structuring of airspace in the Tallinn Flight Information Region.

The day-to-day planning and coordination of airspace use is the responsibility of the Airspace Management Cell (AMC), which brings together civil and military institutions. The functions of the AMC are carried out by Estonian Air Navigation Services and the Air Force as the armed service of the Estonian Defence Forces. The AMC must ensure, through airspace management procedures, that training requirements of the defence forces are taken into consideration to the extent that the obligations imposed on the defence forces by law are fulfilled according to the principles of flexible use of airspace.