The Mărculești International Airport can be modernized and used as a logistics hub for transporting goods needed for the reconstruction of infrastructure in Ukraine, said the director of the Investment Agency Marin Ciobanu. According to him, two renowned international operators, the German companies Fraport and Lufthansa Cargo, expressed their readiness to invest in Mărculești, IPN reports.
The Investment Agency’s head noted that discussions are held with the two German companies on eventual investments in the modernization and development of the Mărculești International Airport. The security crisis in the region can serve as an opportunity for the Republic of Moldova as infrastructure will start to be rebuilt when the war is over and the Airport in Mărculești can be used as a landing field for bringing goods.
“We really believe that we can turn the Mărculești Airport into something great. We have 265 hectares there and Mărculești has all the elements of a Free Economic Zone. We need a serious operator and already have discussions with Lufthansa Cargo and Fraport. Fraport manages the airport in Frankfurt and another 30 airports all over the world. Lufthansa Cargo is a goods operator,” Marin Ciobanu stated in the program “Reflection Points” on Vocea Basarabiei channel.
He said the modernization of the Mărculești Airport can serve as an impetus to develop the whole northern region of the country as the international operators also sign contracts for the provision of services and delivery of products with local companies.
“The runway is intended for very large aircraft. A serious investor can renovate everything. I think about €75 million in investments is necessary. But you realize what the effects for the region can be produced. If such companies as Lufthansa Cargo and Fraport come, they aim to establish different partnerships with the local university and new specialties are opened. Contracts are also signed with local companies. A growth pole will be created in the northern districts,” stated Marin Ciobanu.
He believes that transferring the Mărculești Airport under the management of foreign companies is the best method of developing this facility. The Airport is now managed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
“The Mărculești Airport two-three years ago sustained losses of €2 million a year. If you have a state-owned facility that generates such losses, do you subsidize it? It’s better to identity a foreign operator,” said the director of the Investment Agency.
The Mărculești International Airport was founded in 2004 based on a local military unit. It is 265.2 ha in area and was earlier used to serve aircraft of the Armed Forces.
