President Maia Sandu said that after conceding the Chisinau International Airport in 2013, the state has lost revenues adding up to about 1.6 billion lei. Now that the Airport returned under state ownership, the official requested the responsible institutions to determine the irregularities committed in the management of this facility and to maximally reduce the airport tax of €9 per passenger, IPN reports.

“In 2013, by fraudulent transactions, Shor, supported by Plahotniuc, stole the Chisinau International Airport from the people, renting it for a period of 49 years. As a result of this scheme, the state, which is we, the citizens, lost revenues totaling about 1.6 billion lei. Nine years have passed and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have a clear response to the thieves – that our country is not for sale. We managed to mobilize and led a harsh political struggle and had to go to court to make sure that the Chisinau International Airport is ultimately recovered from the thieves,” Maia Sandu stated in a press briefing at the Airport.

She noted that justice was done and the facility returned to the state. In a similar way, justice will be done in other cases of corruption despite the obstacles placed also by corrupt judges.

“I request the state institutions to make sure the airport is inspected and the identified irregularities are probed. I ask to review the tax of €9 per passenger so as to maximally reduce it. I request the Public Property Agency, the administration of the Airport to ensure the optimal functioning of the facility so that the citizens from now on benefit from more destinations at accessible plane ticket prices,” said President Sandu.

The official also said that the airport is not an ordinary state-owned facility and it should become a regional hub that would ensure the necessary infrastructure for Moldova to be better connected to the European economic space. The responsible institutions should make sure all those involved in this theft are punished in accordance with the law.

The operations and management of the Chisinau International Airport were transferred to the concessionaire Avia Invest in November 2013, under a private-public partnership model. Avia Invest undertook to manage the airport during 49 years and to invest €250 million in the modernization of the airport. But the company was accused of not fulfilling its obligations and of not respecting the investment plan and the concession contract was therefore terminated.

Last November, the Chisinau Appeals Court decided that the Chisinau International Airport will return under state management. On March 28, 2023, the procedures for transmitting the Airport that was managed by SRL Avia Invest were completed.