Türkiye bans Armenian carriers from its airspace

Wizz Air to suspend Moldova flights over security concerns

01.03.2023 – 08:08 UTC

Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) has announced that it will shortly suspend all Chisinau, Moldova flights due to security concerns.

“Following the recent developments in Moldova and the elevated, but not imminent, risk in the country’s airspace, Wizz Air has made the difficult but responsible decision to suspend all flights to Chisinau from March 14,” the LCC said.

While the airline did not elaborate on the “recent developments” that had resulted in the heightened risk, it presumably referred to lingering geopolitical tensions and the potential spillover into Moldova of the Russian war in Ukraine. Moldova’s strongly pro-European government recently said that it identified “attempts at destabilisation” of the country by pro-Russian forces. Secessionist Transnistria, internationally recognised as a part of Moldova, hosts a substantial Russian military deployment.

The Moldovan Civil Aviation Authority said Wizzair’s decision was unexpected and unjustified while adding that the carrier had sought approval for its Summer 2023 Chisinau schedule as recently as February 14.

“Today [on February 27], the schedule was approved by the CAA. Following a risk analysis,…

Editorial Comment: The article updates with Wizz Air’s new routes from Iasi. – 08.03.2023 – 17:46 UTC