The Airport Market in the Republic of Moldova: Between Decongestion, Efficiency, Connectivity and Competition
Automatically translated summary. The full text is available in Romanian.
An analytical context note examines the airport market of the Republic of Moldova amid the rapid growth in air passenger traffic. It focuses on Chișinău International Airport, the country's only aviation hub, and assesses its efficiency, infrastructure, connectivity and competition, as well as the legal framework for air transport.
Over the past 10 years the number of international passengers has more than doubled, and on some segments tripled. Passenger numbers at Chișinău International Airport could double compared with 2014, reaching 4.1–4.2 million travellers in 2024, driven by accession to the common aviation area, new operators and the regional security situation, including Russia's war in Ukraine and the redirection of the diaspora towards the EU.
The note identifies factors limiting efficiency: limited infrastructure capacity, airlines' reluctance to launch new routes, weak links with public and rail transport, weak competition in handling, insufficient security and customs control, no alternative airport in dense fog, and airport costs less competitive than in Iași, Bucharest and Cluj. The Air Code (Law No. 301 of 21.12.2017) transposes Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008, and in July 2024 the concept of the Air Register information system was approved to digitalise aircraft registration.
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