Chișinău International Airport

Chișinău International Airport
Simiprof · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Chișinău International Airport
Nativename	Aeroportul Internațional Chișinău
Iata	KIV
Icao	LUKK
Type	Public
Owner	Government of Moldova
Operator	Avia Invest
City	Chișinău
Country	Moldova

Chișinău International Airport is a major airport serving Moldova, located about 13 kilometers southeast of the city center of Chișinău, near the village of Selecția, Orhei. The airport is operated by Avia Invest, a company owned by Ilan Shor, and is a key transportation hub for Moldovan Airlines, Air Moldova, and other airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Lufthansa. The airport has connections to major European cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Moscow, as well as to Middle Eastern destinations like Istanbul and Tel Aviv. It also serves as a base for Wizz Air, a low-cost carrier that operates flights to various European Union cities, including Budapest, Warsaw, and Barcelona.

● Overview

Chișinău International Airport is the main gateway to Moldova, a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania and Ukraine. The airport's strategic location allows it to serve as a hub for passengers traveling between Europe and the Middle East, as well as for cargo shipments between Asia and Europe. The airport is equipped with modern facilities, including a new terminal building that was inaugurated in 2000, and has undergone several renovations and expansions since then, including the addition of new check-in counters, baggage claim areas, and security screening facilities. The airport is also home to several duty-free shops, restaurants, and bars, including Heinemann Duty Free, Caffe Nero, and Segafredo. The airport's operations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority of Moldova, which is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of air travel in Moldova.

● History

The history of Chișinău International Airport dates back to the 1920s, when it was first established as a small aerodrome serving the city of Chișinău. During World War II, the airport was used as a military base by the Soviet Air Forces, and later by the Romanian Air Force. After the war, the airport was rebuilt and expanded, with the addition of new runways, taxiways, and apron areas. In the 1960s and 1970s, the airport became a major hub for Aeroflot, the Soviet national airline, which operated flights to destinations across the Soviet Union, including Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev. After Moldova gained independence in 1991, the airport was privatized and has since undergone significant modernization and expansion efforts, including the construction of a new terminal building and the introduction of new air traffic control systems.

● Facilities

Chișinău International Airport has a range of facilities to support the needs of passengers, including check-in counters, baggage claim areas, security screening facilities, and immigration and customs controls. The airport also has several duty-free shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as currency exchange offices and ATM machines. The airport's terminal building is equipped with modern air conditioning and heating systems, as well as Wi-Fi and mobile phone coverage. The airport also has a range of facilities to support the needs of airlines and cargo operators, including hangars, fueling facilities, and cargo handling areas. The airport is also home to several aviation schools and training centers, including the Moldovan Aviation Academy and the European Aviation Safety Agency.

● Airlines and destinations

Chișinău International Airport is served by a range of airlines, including Air Moldova, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Wizz Air. The airport has connections to major European cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Moscow, as well as to Middle Eastern destinations like Istanbul and Tel Aviv. The airport also has flights to destinations in Asia, including Beijing and Shanghai, operated by airlines such as China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. The airport is also a hub for cargo operations, with several airlines operating freighter services to destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines.

● Statistics

In 2020, Chișinău International Airport handled over 2.5 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in Eastern Europe. The airport also handled over 10,000 tons of cargo, with the majority being imported goods from Asia and Europe. The airport's air traffic control system handles over 20,000 flights per year, with an average of 50 flights per day. The airport's security screening facilities process over 1 million passengers per year, with a detection rate of over 95% for prohibited items. The airport is also a major contributor to the economy of Moldova, generating over $100 million in revenue per year and supporting over 1,000 jobs.

● Ground transportation

Chișinău International Airport is located about 13 kilometers southeast of the city center of Chișinău, and is accessible by taxi, bus, and car. The airport has a range of parking facilities, including short-term and long-term parking areas, as well as valet parking services. The airport is also connected to the city center by a highway, which provides easy access to hotels, restaurants, and other tourist attractions. The airport is also served by several car rental companies, including Europcar, Hertz, and Avis, which offer a range of vehicles for rent. The airport is also a hub for public transportation, with several bus routes connecting the airport to the city center and other destinations in Moldova, including Orhei, Bălți, and Tiraspol.