Air Moldova has suspended all flights and ticket sales for an indefinite period

Air Moldova announced the suspension of flights and ticket sales from May 2 for an indefinite period. The decision was made due to financial difficulties: the airline announced an accelerated restructuring in order to avoid bankruptcy.

“Thus, until the court decides whether to accept or reject the application submitted by Air Moldova, the company suspends flights and ticket sales starting from May 2, 2023. The resumption of activities will be possible within three days from the date of the court decision, ”the Moldovan edition quotes. noi excerpt from the company’s announcement. The restructuring procedure will allow attracting foreign investment, says Air Moldova. The airline valued them at $50 million.

The company also accused the authorities of non-intervention in resolving the financial problems faced by the operator, according to Noi. Air Moldova believes that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is being used as leverage and punishment for Air Moldova. Massive flight cancellations in the recent period are the result of restrictions on the financial and banking system of Moldova, the company reports.

On March 2, several Air Moldova flights from and to Chisinau were canceled. Operational difficulties were the reason for the cancellation, according to the company. Two aircraft from the airline’s fleet were unavailable for flights. Air Moldova also canceled two flights that were supposed to be operated by the company on March 3, 7, 8 and 10, the publication reports. Diez.

On April 12, the Civil Aviation Authority announced the risk of suspension of Air Moldova’s air operator certificate due to the cancellation of several flights. The ministry clarified that the reason for the cancellation of Air Moldova flights is the difficult financial situation of the airline. At the same time, Air Moldova employees asked the authorities to intervene in the situation. In mid-April, Air Moldova reported on Facebook (owned by Meta, recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation and banned) that its accounts were blocked. Because of this, the company canceled all flights scheduled for April 21-25.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Moldovan parliament, as well as the chairman of the ruling Action and Solidarity party, Igor Grosu, said that Air Moldova belongs to the fugitive businessman Ilan Shor. He stated this on April 21, answering a relevant question. “This is his, this is the company of this man,” Mr. Grosu said (quote from Deschide).

Mr. Shor is the leader of the Shor party, which regularly holds anti-government rallies, against which the Moldovan authorities began to discuss at the end of 2022 the possibility of a ban parties.

Read about the influence of a businessman on the political situation in Moldova in the publication “Kommersant” “Gagauzia wants to ride like a ”Shor” in oil”.

Maria Fedotova