The Hungarian airline Wizz Air has announced that it will stop operating flights to the capital of Moldova, Chisinau, due to concerns about the safety of the airspace over the country. The decision comes into effect on March 14.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova has also confirmed that the air operator Wizz Air has suspended all its flights to/from Chisinau International Airport starting from March 14, 2023. The authority was notified by email about the decision, citing safety and security reasons for the airspace in the region.
The Moldovan Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development were in permanent collaboration and discussions with Wizz Air representatives, continuously informing about the procedures applied in order to ensure an appropriate level of aeronautical safety and security.
The decision taken by Wizz Air created uncertainty considering that on February 14 the air operator requested the approval of the flight schedule for the summer season, and on 27 February 23 it was approved by the AAC.
Following the risk analysis, the state institutions determined that flights in the national airspace can be carried out safely, applying a series of procedures in this regard, and regret the sudden decision taken by Wizz Air. We will continue to take all the necessary actions to ensure the return of the air operator to Chisinau International Airport as soon as possible, but also to attract other low-cost airlines.
Moldova's civil aviation authority reacted by declaring it taken "suddenly" and "deplorably".
The decision comes amid growing warnings that Russia is also preparing a military operation in Ukraine's neighboring Moldova. A few days ago, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) announced that the Kremlin was preparing operations "under a false flag" in Moldova and Chernihiv Oblast - on the border between Ukraine and Belarus, citing Ukrainian intelligence.
Also in February, Moldovan President Maia Sandu issued a warning, saying that Russia planned to organize a coup d'état in Moldova with the help of military-trained mercenaries from the Russian Federation, Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro, who were supposed to attack government buildings in Chisinau and change power in the former Soviet republic.
In its statement, Wizz Air also said it will be focusing on additional flights from the Romanian city of Iaşi as replacements, including a new service to Berlin and more flights to Barcelona, Milan Bergamo, Bologna, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Dortmund, Larnaca, London Luton and Treviso.
The carrier does not intend to replace the flights to Budapest and Prague, and those to Chisinau will be redirected to other destinations in the Wizz Air network, the company announced.
"The safety of passengers and crew remains Wizz Air's number one priority and following recent events in Moldova and the increased but not immediate risk in the country's airspace, Wizz Air has taken the difficult but responsible decision to suspend all flights to Chisinau from 14 March", the company said.
