This was announced by Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Vladimir Bolea. He noted that the expansion of the existing terminal of the capital’s airport is an urgent need, given the rapid growth of passenger traffic. In 2024, it amounted to 4 million, and this year the figure has already exceeded 5 million and is approaching 6 million passengers a year.
As a result, it was decided to improve conditions for passengers by expanding the existing terminal of the Chisinau airport, as building a new terminal is still too expensive an option.
The modernization will take place at the expense of its own funds, without attracting credits and loans. “A tender has already been held, which was won by a state-owned company and proposed the project. We are increasing by 5 thousand square meters the area of the airport, this is an increase of about 30%. The total cost of expanding the area will be 100-140 million lei. I think this is a very good step. And the airport is one of the first state enterprises, which makes such large investment projects exclusively from its own money, without attracting loans,” Vladimir Bolea said.
The project envisages modernization of infrastructure, increasing the number of gates (from 7 to 13) and creating more comfortable spaces for passengers. This will ensure more efficient services and better passenger flow.
The minister also stressed the need to create more favorable conditions for Ukrainian citizens using the Chisinau airport, in the context of the war in Ukraine, as about half of the passengers are foreign citizens, while the share of Ukrainians is 25-30% and even 35% in different months. At the same time, those who arrive through the Chisinau airport and go, for example, to Odessa, are forced to walk 500-700 meters to the nearest stop in the rain or sun, without access to toilets or shelter.
“We will discuss with the airport management quick solutions, such as building a shelter or hangar, to provide them with minimum comfort,” explained Vladimir Bolea.
He said that the Chisinau airport shows a good profit and is in the 1st place in terms of profit and tax payments among all state-owned enterprises.
