The national air carrier Air Moldova has launched three direct routes to the Italian cities Verona, Venice and Bologna. A one-way tickets costs €81 and more, with all taxes included. The passengers of the first flights Chisinau – Venice and Venice – Chisinau Tuesday enjoyed a number of surprises prepared by the airline, including certificates enabling them to travel once free of charge, Info-Prim Neo reports. In the boarding hall in Chisinau, the passengers who flew to Venice were met with a cake that illustrated the map of Italy in the colors of the Italian tricolor. Attending the launch, Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Anatol Salaru said the liberalization of the airspace and the competition lead to price reductions and a higher quality. “If the airport taxes hadn’t been so high, of €25, the tickets would cost less,” he stated According to the minister, last year the Chisinau International Airport recorded about 1 million passengers, with the airport’s capacity being of 1.3 million passengers. In order to liberalize the market, there should be built a new terminal for low-cost flights. At the Marco Polo airport in Venice, the Moldovans returning home danced a round dance under the songs of the band “Zdob si Zdub” that gave a recital on the occasion of the launch of the flight. They were glad that the prices of tickets were decreased, though they did not get a ticket at a lower price. Those who made reservations bought a round-trip ticket for €230, while a one-way ticket for €130. Air Moldova director Iulian Scorpan has told Info-Prim Neo that the special offer from €81 is available on the company’s website. Those who purchase tickets at booking offices pay €91 and more. This price includes the sale commissions. The Chisinau-Venice-Chisinau flights will be operated three times a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. One more Chisinau airline launched flights to the same destination, on Monday and Friday, on June 4. Iulian Scorpan said in this connection that there is no competition between the two companies, but rather a partnership aimed at ensuring mobility and access to flights every day. Air Moldova estimated there will be by 70-80 passengers on the flights to Venice initially. The other new flights will be operated three times a week to Verona (on Monday, Thursday and Sunday) and two times a week to Bologna (on Tuesday and Saturday). Currently, Air Moldova provides flights to 22 destinations.