En
Es
Fr- Air Moldova, the national airline of Moldova, was founded on January 12, 1993 by presidential decree. Because the flight subdivisions based in Kishinev were the airline’s foundation, it can be affirmed that the beginnings of the company go back to September 1944, when the first Moldovan independent flight squadron started to function with the first PO-2 aircraft arrived in Kishinev.
- In the 1950s, there were 15 PO-2 aircraft that operated domestic flights and served in agriculture, but also 2 LI-2 aircraft, which operated flights to Moscow, Ukrainian cities and health resorts on the seaside of the Black Sea and in Caucasus.
- In the 1960s, a new airport that had the capacity to serve gas turbine aircraft opened in Kishinev, the fleet was completed with new An-10,An-12 and An-24 aircraft, and regular flights to many cities in the USSR were begun. The enterprise received the status of Department of Civil Aviation.
- In the 1970s, the TU-134 aircraft became the main aircraft of the company. With a fleet of about 26 TU-134 aircraft, the route map continued to extend.
- In the 1980s, 10 TU-154 aircraft were received, and Moldovan crews were flying in 73 cities of the USSR.
- The beginnings of the 1990s brought the restructuring of the Moldovan air industry, and air company Air Moldova, which comprised the flight and service divisions, was created. The airlinesoperates scheduled and charter services to destinations within Europe from its base at Kishinev International Airport.
- In its first years, the newly created company struggled to survive while the considerable decrease in demand for air services led to the decrease of the economic indicators in air transport, similar to the level of the 1950s. As a matter of fact, only two routes between Moldova and Tel Aviv survived at that time.
- The turn of the century meant a turn for the better for Air Moldova: new routes to European countries were opened and, for the first time in the last ten years, modern Embraer 120 and Embraer 145 aircraft were leased.
- In 2003, Air Moldova changed its image, creating a new logo and repainting its fleet. Also, in cooperation with Kishinev International Airport, a number of related companies were created: Sky Alliance – ticket sales agency, Aeroport-Catering – passenger catering services, Aeroport-Handling – passenger and cargo check-in and boarding and daily maintenance of the aircraft), Aeroport-Petrol – aircraft fuelling.
- In 2003-2004, the airline launched flights to Amsterdam, Lisbon, Madrid and Vienna and completed its fleet with two modern Airbus A320 aircraft. These led to a considerable increase in the number of passengers.
- In July 2004, Air Moldova became an active member of the International Association of Air Transport (IATA). The membership conditions presume certain standards and requirements such as fleet modernization, assurance of flight security, personnel competence and development of a quality system. These and integration to the international market were the company’s targets since the beginning.
- In December 2004, the airline started implementing its frequent flyer program. Air Moldova Club was designed to provide increased benefits and awards to passengers who fly frequently with Air Moldova.
- In December 2008, Air Moldova has finalized its initial process of IOSA registration. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is the benchmark for airline safety management. Obtaining the IOSA certification means a quality status for Air Moldova and its recognition by the world aviation community as a safe air carrier that complies with all international safety requirements.
- Since 2009, Air Moldova has interline agreements with about 80 international airlines among which can be mentioned Aeroflot,Alitalia , Lufthansa, El Al Israel Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, TAP Portugal, etc.
- In May 2010, for the first time, the fleet was completed with an Embraer 190 jet, arrived directly from the manufacturer. The purchase of the aircraft is part of the development strategy of the airline, and its operation will allow the possibility to open new routes and to ensure passengers’ comfortableness and safety.
- In 2011, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) invited Air Moldova to participate in negotiations in order to establish a strategic partnership, within the framework of a new program that will include non-European airlines operating services to and from Europe. The invitation indicates that Air Moldova is regarded as a safe and stable company, operating in accordance with all rules and standards governing the safety of flights.
- In 2013, Air Moldova introduced the Web Check-in service and received the second Embraer 190 aircraft. The new acquisition goes in line with the company’s extending strategy and fleet standardization.
- In 2015, Air Moldova launched new services: free shuttle bus for passengers transfer from Kishinev International Airport to Balti and vice versa and online payment for baggage and seat selection for all Air Moldova destinations.
In November 2017, Air Moldova opened a new route to Dubai, operated twice-weekly with Airbus 319 aircraft. The new destination diversifies the airline’s offer to the most popular tourist destinations and also offers new connection opportunities to destinations in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
In 2018, Air Moldova continued to expand its route network and launched new direct services from Chisinau to Tel-Aviv and Kiev.
- No incidents or accidents involving Air Moldova were registered so far.
