The Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development denies the reports about the state’s intentions to concede the Chisinau International Airport. According to Lilia Dabija, the modernization of the airport infrastructure and attraction of more low-cost airlines so as to provide more fights at accessible prices are the Government’s priorities, IPN reports.
In April 2023, after nine years of the conceding of the Chisinau International Airport, the facility returned under state management. Minister Dabija refuted the rumors that the state plans a new concession.
“We didn’t say the state intends to concede the airport. On the contrary, we said that the state is looking for investment projects. The state aims to attract more low-cost operators, including providers of ground handling services so that the airport continues to develop. We lay emphasis on investments as investments will generate jobs, profit. The airport’s infrastructure enables low-cost airlines to come to our market. At the Ministry, we are making effort to attract such operators, together with our colleagues from the Civil Aviation Authority,” Lilia Dabija stated in the program “At 360 Degrees” on Radio Moldova.
The minister noted that the gradual diminution of the modernization tax until its exclusion will help attract low-cost companies that will operate flights on the Chisinau Airport. Advanced discussions are now held with Tarom and Wiz Air.
“Investments in airport infrastructure mean improvement of the landing strip, its broadening. We want to attract more operators to work on the Chisinau International Airport so that flights are provided to any corner of the world at accessible prices. We halved the airport tax or the modernization tax. From next January, this tax will be fully excluded. This will make the services provided on the airport more competitive and attractive. It is one of the arguments we invoke when we discuss with low-cost airlines. What is the most important, we inform them that our airspace is safe. We are negotiating with companies from Romania, including Tarom, so as to increase the frequency of flights. We are discussing with Wiz Air. We want to attract these operators. The discussions are at an advanced stage,” said Lilia Dabija.
On March 14, 2023, the Hungarian airline Wizz Air suspended all its flights on the Chisinau International Airport, invoking concerns about airspace security in the region.
