Mormons in Negotiations to Buy Tallinn

Spurred by the tragedy that is Estonian Air, the Church of the Latter Day Saints may soon take possession of Tallinn.
Yesterday, Estonian Air issued a warning that it would soon issue an overall loss for 2009, though the figure will be announced only after audit. Livonian Chronicle sources, however, characterized the number as "frightening" and "one which will cause an ordinary man to soil his pants." Estonian Air President Andrus Aljas partially explained the loss, noting extraordinary expenditures from the return of two planes to the leasing firm. The airline posted a loss of 170 MM EEK in 2008 and a loss of 52 MM EEK in 2007. Year 2006 was profitable, though, as sources recalled, that profit was due only to the sale of one of Estonian Air's Boeings.
It's not all bad news for Estonia, however. The salvation of the country's air transit system (and perhaps economy in general) may come at the hands of the Mormon Church, which recently reached an agreement with Mayor Edgar Savisaar to dispatch 300,000 missionaries to work the city of Tallinn. Contract details were not forthcoming, but the mayor's office did disclose that the church agreed to fly Estonian Air and land all the missionaries at Tallinn Airport, whose traffic was down 26 percent in 2008. "The missionaries are bright young men who bring a fresh point of view to this sinning, pagan land," said a spokesman for the mayor. According to sources, the city of Tallinn is negotiating to sell the entire city to the Mormon Church with Mr. Savisaar retaining the honorary title of Bishop.