Chisinau International Airport
Encyclopedia
Chișinău International Airport is the main international airport in Chișinău
, Moldova
, located 13 km (8.1 mi) southeast of the centre of Chişinău, the capital city.
– Galați
– Chișinău and Iași
. The flights were operated by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aerienne - CFRNA
, later LARES.
The main terminal was built in the 1970s with a capacity of 1,200,000 passengers per year. On 31 May 1995 Chișinău Airport was awarded the status of an international airport.
Following modernisation work by the Turkish company Akfen Holding A.S., the airport reopened in May 2000. An annex terminal building with an area of 4270 m² (5,106.9 sq yd) was added to the renovated present terminal building of 7600 m² (9,089.5 sq yd). The project covers construction of 3000 m² (3,588 sq yd) curtain wall
s, 3200 m² (3,827.2 sq yd) composite panels, 12185 m² (14,573.1 sq yd) asphalt road, a treatment plant with a capacity of 3450 m³ (121,835.6 cu ft) a day, complete mechanical heating, ventilation
and electrical systems along with the X-ray
security, luggage handling
, master clock, and flight information systems. The annual capacity of the airport has increased to 5.4 million passengers.
Chișinău International Airport is a member of Airports Council International
.
There are ten check-in desks and four gates at the airport. VIP and CIP guests are offered special services at the VIP terminal.
A visitors terrace in the second floor opened in December 2006 but was closed due to security measures. The airport also has a commemorative plaque describing the first flight to Moldova on 24 June 1926 on the routes Bucharest
–Galați
–Iași
and Chișinău
.
Previously passengers had to present their passport, ticket and their registration (of foreigners - which used to be required). Passengers were allowed in the check in hall. With the introduction of e-tickets and the abolition of the registration for foreigners the airport reorganized in late 2006. This resulted in a bigger check-in hall and customs control is now after check-in.
Air Moldova
has its head office on the airport property.
The project involves EUR
19 million loan to Chișinău International Airport for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing runway
, taxiway
s, apron
s, and ramps, engineering works, safety equipment and other connected core assets of Chişinău International Airport. The European Investment Bank
('EIB') is considering co-financing alongside EBRD for up to an equal amount.
, Moldavian Airlines
, Tandem Aero
and Vichi.
Among the national air companies, the biggest share of the passenger transport market is held by the state airline Air Moldova
, followed by Moldavian Airlines
and Tandem Aero. The national airlines have a share of less than two thirds of the market.
|- align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
! Year > Passengers
| 1996 250,800
| 1997 283,000
| 1998 265,900
| 1999 233,300
| 2000 167,708
| 2001 274,387
| 2002 334,087
| 2003 341,695
| 2004 421,011
| 2005 482,741
| 2006 548,331
| 2007 688,782
| 2008 847,881
12,000
809,072
937,030
Busiest routes:
Busiest airlines:
|- align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
! Year >
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
| 2007
| 2008 (1-5)
Figures are in thousand tons.
There is a bus and a mini-bus (rutiera
) to the airport (aerogara). The rutiera
line 165 passes through the Botanica district
and continues to the city center. The 'AEROGARA' bus departs from Piata D. Cantemir and has intermediate stops in the city center on the Stefan Cel Mare street and also stops at the central railway station 'GARA' bus station
. It has a white livery bus operating with a 30 minute interval. The fares are paid to the bus conductor.
Taxis drive in 15–25 minutes to the airport. They charge between 70 and 80 lei
i.e. 6-7 euro
s. It is advisable to agree on a price beforehand.
Arriving passengers can find authorized taxis (Taxi 1407, yellow cars) at the departure exit.
The airport is located at the mainway to the south.
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
, Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
, located 13 km (8.1 mi) southeast of the centre of Chişinău, the capital city.
History
The first scheduled flights to Chișinău started on 24 June 1926, on the route BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
– Galați
Galati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
– Chișinău and Iași
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
. The flights were operated by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aerienne - CFRNA
TAROM
S.C. Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A., doing business as TAROM Romanian Air Transport, is the flag carrier and oldest currently operating airline of Romania. The brand name is an acronym for...
, later LARES.
The main terminal was built in the 1970s with a capacity of 1,200,000 passengers per year. On 31 May 1995 Chișinău Airport was awarded the status of an international airport.
Following modernisation work by the Turkish company Akfen Holding A.S., the airport reopened in May 2000. An annex terminal building with an area of 4270 m² (5,106.9 sq yd) was added to the renovated present terminal building of 7600 m² (9,089.5 sq yd). The project covers construction of 3000 m² (3,588 sq yd) curtain wall
Curtain wall
A curtain wall is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, but merely keep out the weather. As the curtain wall is non-structural it can be made of a lightweight material reducing construction costs. When glass is used as the curtain wall, a great advantage is...
s, 3200 m² (3,827.2 sq yd) composite panels, 12185 m² (14,573.1 sq yd) asphalt road, a treatment plant with a capacity of 3450 m³ (121,835.6 cu ft) a day, complete mechanical heating, ventilation
Ventilation (architecture)
Ventilating is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality...
and electrical systems along with the X-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
security, luggage handling
Baggage claim
In airport terminals, a baggage claim area is an area where arriving passengers claim checked-in baggage after disembarking from an airline flight. The alternative term baggage reclaim is used to mean the same thing at many airports outside the USA In airport terminals, a baggage claim area is an...
, master clock, and flight information systems. The annual capacity of the airport has increased to 5.4 million passengers.
Chișinău International Airport is a member of Airports Council International
Airports Council International
Airports Council International is the association of the world’s airports. It is a non profit organization, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations...
.
Infrastructure and facilities
A visitors terrace in the second floor opened in December 2006 but was closed due to security measures. The airport also has a commemorative plaque describing the first flight to Moldova on 24 June 1926 on the routes Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
–Galați
Galati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
–Iași
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
and Chișinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
.
Previously passengers had to present their passport, ticket and their registration (of foreigners - which used to be required). Passengers were allowed in the check in hall. With the introduction of e-tickets and the abolition of the registration for foreigners the airport reorganized in late 2006. This resulted in a bigger check-in hall and customs control is now after check-in.
Air Moldova
Air Moldova
Air Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
has its head office on the airport property.
Development
There are plans to enlarge the airport.The project involves EUR
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
19 million loan to Chișinău International Airport for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
, taxiway
Taxiway
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
s, apron
Apron
An apron is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the body. It may be worn for hygienic reasons as well as in order to protect clothes from wear and tear. The apron is commonly part of the uniform of several work categories, including waitresses, nurses, and domestic...
s, and ramps, engineering works, safety equipment and other connected core assets of Chişinău International Airport. The European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
('EIB') is considering co-financing alongside EBRD for up to an equal amount.
Airlines and destinations
Four national companies are involved in passenger air transportation, namely: Air MoldovaAir Moldova
Air Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
, Moldavian Airlines
Moldavian Airlines
Moldavian Airlines is an airline based at Chişinău in Moldova. It operates scheduled international services from Chişinău to destinations in Europe...
, Tandem Aero
Tandem Aero
Tandem Aero is an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It operates passenger charters using leased aircraft. It was established in 1998.The Tandem Aero air operators certificate permits the transport of passengers, goods and mail ....
and Vichi.
Among the national air companies, the biggest share of the passenger transport market is held by the state airline Air Moldova
Air Moldova
Air Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
, followed by Moldavian Airlines
Moldavian Airlines
Moldavian Airlines is an airline based at Chişinău in Moldova. It operates scheduled international services from Chişinău to destinations in Europe...
and Tandem Aero. The national airlines have a share of less than two thirds of the market.
Traffic figures
! Year >
| 1996
| 1997
| 1998
| 1999
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
| 2007
| 2008
Busiest routes:
- Chişinău - MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
(Domodedovo International AirportDomodedovo International AirportMoscow Domodedovo Airport or Domodedovo International Airport is an international airport located in Domodedovsky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia, south-southeast of the centre of Moscow...
) Air Moldova, S7 Airlines with 20.12% of passengers transported in 2010 - Chişinău - IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
(Ataturk International AirportAtatürk International AirportAtatürk International Airport is the major international airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Opened in 1924 and located in Yeşilköy, on the European side of the city, it is west of the city centre. In 1980, the airport was renamed to Atatürk International Airport in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the...
) Air Moldova, Turkish Airlines with 17.50% of passengers transported in 2010 - Chişinău - AntalyaAntalyaAntalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. With a population 1,001,318 as of 2010. It is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and country's biggest international sea resort.- History :...
Air Moldova, Moldavian Airlines with 8.05% of passengers transported in 2010 - Chişinău - VeronaVeronaVerona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
Air Moldova, Meridiana Fly with 5.80% of passengers transported in 2010 - Chişinău - FrankfurtFrankfurtFrankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
Air Moldova with 5.64% of passengers transported in 2010 - Chişinău - TimişoaraTimisoaraTimișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the...
Carpatair, Moldavian Airlines with 4.94% of passengers transported in 2010
Busiest airlines:
- Air Moldova - with 48.91% of passengers transportd in 2010
- Turkish Airlines - with 10.53% of passengers transportd in 2010
- S7 Airlines - with 9.45% of passengers transportd in 2010
- Meridiana - with 7.37% of passengers transportd in 2010
- Carpatair - with 4.95% of passengers transportd in 2010
Cargo and Mail
! Year >
| 2000
| 2001
| 2002
| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
| 2007
| 2008 (1-5)
Figures are in thousand tons.
Other facilities
The Civil Aviation Administration of the Republic of Moldova has its headquarters on the airport property.To and from the airport
Rutiera
Rutierele are private, owner-operated minibuses in Moldova that are used in public transport. They operate along fixed routes.In cities, Rutieră routes each have a given number, like buses or trolleybuses....
) to the airport (aerogara). The rutiera
Rutiera
Rutierele are private, owner-operated minibuses in Moldova that are used in public transport. They operate along fixed routes.In cities, Rutieră routes each have a given number, like buses or trolleybuses....
line 165 passes through the Botanica district
Sectorul Botanica
Sectorul Botanica is one of the five sectors in Chişinău, the capital of Moldova. Botanica is one of the more scenic districts in Chişinău, it hosts a zoo and a botanical garden. The local administration is managed by a pretor appointed by the city administration. It governs over a portion of the...
and continues to the city center. The 'AEROGARA' bus departs from Piata D. Cantemir and has intermediate stops in the city center on the Stefan Cel Mare street and also stops at the central railway station 'GARA' bus station
Bus station
A bus station is a structure where city or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. It is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can stop...
. It has a white livery bus operating with a 30 minute interval. The fares are paid to the bus conductor.
Taxis drive in 15–25 minutes to the airport. They charge between 70 and 80 lei
Moldovan leu
The leu is the currency of Moldova. Like the Romanian leu, the Moldovan leu is subdivided into 100 bani . The name of the currency originates in Romania and means "lion".-History:...
i.e. 6-7 euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s. It is advisable to agree on a price beforehand.
Arriving passengers can find authorized taxis (Taxi 1407, yellow cars) at the departure exit.
The airport is located at the mainway to the south.
See also
- Civil Aviation Administration of MoldovaCivil Aviation Administration of MoldovaThe State Civil Aviation Administration of Moldova is the central specialized, executive, coordinating and control body of the Public Administration in the field of civil aviation, founded by the Government of the Republic of Moldova...
- List of airports in Moldova
External links
- State Administration of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Moldova
- Flight Schedules - Flight numbers & Destination details