State defiance: Lukoil refuses to hand over Chisinau Airport fuel terminal
Lukoil-Moldova has failed to transfer the fuel infrastructure at Chisinau’s "Eugen Doga" International Airport back to state control, despite a final five-day grace period ending this week.
Roman Cojuhari, Director of the Public Property Agency (APP), confirmed on Friday, January 22, that the infrastructure remains in the company's possession. "We have no confirmation of compliance. The state has not yet received the assets," Cojuhari stated.
Legal penalties and security concerns
The deadline followed a January 16 ruling by the Strategic Investment Security Council. The body imposed a fine on Lukoil-Moldova amounting to 5% of its revenue, capped at 5 million MDL (approx. €255,000), for failing to return the assets.
Authorities initially ordered the transfer in December 2025. The ruling requires Lukoil-Moldova to revert the terminal to its pre-2005 status, when the company acquired the assets for 10 million MDL (approx. €510,000).
Corporate gridlock
On January 14, the company officially refused to sign the transfer documents. Lukoil-Moldova cited a lack of approval from its sole shareholder, the Austrian-based Lukoil International GmbH.
The Ministry of Energy warned that further measures under Law 174/2021 regarding strategic investments will be applied gradually. This law allows the state to intervene when national security interests are at stake.
Market dominance and energy security
Lukoil currently controls 20% of Moldova’s retail fuel market and nearly 50% of diesel imports. Until recently, it held a total monopoly on jet fuel at the capital's airport.
To prevent a regional aviation crisis, airport authorities seized operational control of the terminal on November 14. Currently, kerosene supplies are being secured via alternative providers from Romania.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
