The state does not efficiently manage important and intricate assets, such as the airports. Therefore, it is opportune to concede the Chisinau International Airport, said Deputy Parliament Speaker Mihai Popșoi. According to the government’s representative, the new manager of the airport should be a serious business entity from the EU with experience in business management, IPN reports.
In March 2023, President Maia Sandu announced that the Chisinau International Airport was returned under the management of the state after it was conceded in 2013 for a period of 49 years. Currently, the airport is managed by the state, but the Deputy Speaker considers it should be managed by a company from the EU.
“The state does not devote proper attention to the management of such an important and complex entity as the Chisinau International Airport. I, having center-right views, doubt the state’s capacity to efficiently manage the economic sector. Surely, it is opportune to concede it to a responsible, serious business entity from the European Union, which manages large airports,” Mihai Popșoi stated in the program “Résumé” on RliveTV channel.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the state tries to remedy the situation at the Chisinau International Airport and has discussions with foreign airlines to persuade them to come to Moldova. However, in the long run, the conceding of the Airport is the best solution for the management of this facility.
“We are in the process of attracting companies that left to the Chisinau International Airport. I refer to Wizz-Air. We have advanced discussions and are confident that now that this airport tax was reduced, we will persuade serious European companies to come to the Republic of Moldova. The conceding of the Airport is oppugned as in the European Union and in developed states, the state does not manage such intricate assets. These assets are managed by private companies with experience. Surely, the citizens’ distrust in the former conceding process is justified and it is now hard to persuade the citizens of the opportunity of a new concession. But we have to do it. We cannot keep such an asset under state ownership endlessly. We must find a serious company,” said Mihai Popșoi.
In March 2023 the Hungarian company Wizz Air suspended all its flights on the Chisinau International Airport, invoking airspace security reasons. Also, Air Moldova airline suspended all its flights until July 31.
