Wizz Air will suspend flights to the Moldovan capital Chisinau from March 14 due to concerns over the security of the country’s airspace, the company said in a statement. estimate The Guardian. Flight suspension information confirmed to the Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova (AAC).
Wizz Air said in a statement that the decision was “difficult but responsible” because it took into account the “high but not imminent” risk of flying in Moldovan airspace. The airline stressed that it intends to closely monitor the security situation in the skies of the republic and to maintain constant contact with local and international authorities and agencies for up-to-date information.
“The safety of passengers and crew remains the number one priority for Wizz Air,” the carrier’s press service assured, adding that instead of canceled flights from Chisinau, additional flights will be introduced from the city. from Iasi to Berlin, Barcelona, Milan, Bologna, Rome, Dortmund, Larnaca, London and Treviso.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova (AAC) reported that Wizz Air notified the authorities of the Republic of the planned suspension of flights to and from Chisinau International Airport. The agency received this information by e-mail.
“The Agency and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development cooperated with Wizz Air representatives, keeping them constantly informed of the procedures applied to ensure an adequate level of aviation safety and protection,” said the authorities. Moldovan aeronautical authorities in a press release.
Management explained that the airline’s decision “has created uncertainty” because on February 14 it requested a summer schedule, and just today, February 27, it was approved by the AAFC.
Moldovan government agencies conducted a risk analysis and concluded that flights in the country’s airspace “can be carried out safely”, taking into account “the application of a number of procedures”, it said. the AAS said in a statement. Therefore, summed up in the management, the manager of Chisinau regrets the sudden decision taken by Wizz Air.
“We will continue to take all necessary measures to bring the air carrier back to Chisinau International Airport as soon as possible, as well as to attract other low-cost airlines,” the management assured.
Wizz Air promised that holders of tickets for canceled flights from Chisinau to Budapest and Prague (and vice versa) can return 100% of the cost of the flights or exchange them for vouchers with a face value of 120% of the cost of the purchased tickets, which can be used to pay for flights on other airline routes.
On February 14, the Moldovan authorities suspended air traffic in their airspace for several hours “for security reasons”. Local media claimed that this measure was due to the appearance of a drone that allegedly entered Moldovan territory from the Vinnitsa region of Ukraine. After the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Moldova farm your airspace. In March 2022, the airspace is partially open flights to Romania have resumed. In September 2022, the Moldovan Civil Aviation Authority banned the resumption of flights from Chisinau to Moscow, explaining that under current conditions “there are no adequate guarantees for the safety of passengers”.
