The Mărculești International Airport is functional and can anytime welcome different types of aircraft. Investments are needed in building a passengers terminal and developing airport infrastructure, the airport’s director Nicolae Clichici informed Prime Minister Ion Chicu, who inspected the airports in northern Moldova, in Bălți and Mărculești, last weekend, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, Nicolae Clichici showed to the Premier the 2,520 meters long runway of the Mărculești Airport, the airport equipment, storehouses, customs post and owned aircraft.

Bălți Airport director Viorel Catană requested Premier Chicu to provide assistance in developing the Aviation School as specialists in the field haven’t been trained during the past 20 years. The costs for training a pilot abroad amount to €70,000. The Balti Airport has 53 employees and owns aircraft and airport equipment. Its runway is 2,240 meters long and can be extended.

The Premier said Moldova needs at least one more airport and they are not considering the possibility of launching low-cost flights at the Mărculești Airport. “I think intense cooperation between the administration of the Mărculești International Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Public Property Agency is needed to conduct a feasibility study. The objective is to operate charter flights at this airport from next May already,” stated Ion Chicu.

He noted that officials of the institutions in charge will meet next week to work out an action plan for ensuring the modernization and certification of an international airport that would operate in northern Moldova.