The Chisinau International Airport risks disappearing from the regional circuit if investments of €50 million do not come over the next year. The concession of the airport will be discussed in detail in the near future, while over the next 2-3 weeks, the government coalition will put forward a legislative initiative concerning the creation of a privatization fund. The issue was discussed by Deputy Speaker Andrian Candu, head of the Liberal-Democratic faction Valeriu Strelet and Communist MP Eduard Musuc in the program “In depth” on Pro TV channel, IPN reports.

Andrian Candu said that starting with 1998, the Chisinau International Airport has paid no dividends into the state budget, while during the last few years it had annual incomes of 6 million lei. “Any institution can invest own money or money from privatization in the modernization. Now the airport needs investments of €230 million. €50 million is needed in the landing strip and access ways alone. If this money is not invested, the regional competition will push the airport out of international circulation,” he stated, adding that the government coalition will soon propose a bill on the creation of a privatization fund that will include all the money from concession and privatization.

Valeriu Strelet said the Chisinau International Airport is the most primitive in the region and its modernization will be considered in detail. It does not have at least a corridor up to the aircraft and the passengers are transported by bus, as in the most primitive countries. The landing strip is not safe as there is no lighting on a number of sections.

For his part, Eduard Musuc said the concession of the airport for 49 years means in fact concession for life. “The airport is a profitable business. When money was earlier invested in its modernization, the investments were recouped. We can do the same now. A profitable company with state guarantee can obtain investments from any bank for modernization. The state can be efficient,” he stated.

Under a Government decision, the land and assets of the state-run Chisinau International Airport will be conceded for a period of up to 49 years. By such a move, the executive aims to develop the airport’s infrastructure and the quality of its services and to improve the airport’s regional competition by increasing economic efficiency and generating incomes. Later, the Constitutional Court suspended the Government decision and is to pronounce on its constitutionality based on a challenge submitted by a group of MPs.