A €9 fare reduction, more routes and a modernisation plan. Dorin Recean offers maximum one-month deadline for changes at the airport
The situation at Chisinau International Airport, recently returned to state management, comes to the attention of Prime Minister Dorin Recean. At the beginning of today's government meeting, the official called for a development plan for the airport and a transparent reduction of the 9 euro airport tax. The tasks were put to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR) and the Public Property Agency (APP), which are to draw up and present a plan in this regard within a month.
"Chisinau International Airport has returned to state management. With blood, as it was and still will be difficult, but it has returned and these processes will be irreversible. I would like to ask Minister Dabija (editor's note: Lilia Dabija, Minister of MIDR) and Director Mustață (editor's note: Alexandru Mustață, General Director of APP) from now on to have strict personal control over the airport processes. We need to put things in order, we need to make sure that we have as many routes as possible, that's why I'm going to ask you to make a development plan for the airport. We are expecting it in a month at the latest," said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
The official also referred to the assets under the management of the concession company Avia Invest, especially the luxury cars, which will become the property of the State Enterprise "Chisinau International Airport" once the concession contract is terminated. Dorin Recean declared at the beginning of the meeting "zero tolerance of corruption" and asked the responsible institutions "to clarify things".
The Prime Minister also asked for a reduction, within a month, of the 9 euro tax paid by passengers departing from Chisinau International Airport. This would happen "transparently" and "clearly", Recean said.
"We must have a transparent process, with very clear calculations and a very clear reduction target. Within a month, Madam Minister, let's have this resolved," concluded Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
Chisinau International Airport officially passed into state management on 28 March, after being taken under concession for 49 years in 2013. The president accuses the leader of the "Șor" party, fugitive MP Ilan Șor and former leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova Vladimir Plahotniuc of "stealing" the airport through "false transactions". As a result of this scheme, for nine years, the state has lost revenues worth 1.6 billion lei, says the head of state.
In this context, the head of state called on 3 April for state institutions to ensure that Chisinau International Airport is inspected and irregularities detected are documented. At the same time, President Maia Sandu asked the APP to find ways to organise more flight destinations at more affordable prices, as well as to revise the 9 euro airport tax.
Currently, the International Airport is officially managed by the state enterprise "Chisinau International Airport".
