Aviation History
Moldova's civil aviation traces back to a Soviet-era Aeroflot squadron based in Chișinău, out of which national carrier Air Moldova was formed in 1992 following independence. Chișinău International Airport has remained the country's principal gateway, gaining full international status in 1995. Air Moldova dominated the market for three decades before suspending all operations in May 2023 amid financial and licensing troubles, leaving carriers such as FlyOne to expand into the gap.
A Franco-Romanian aviation company began scheduled service linking Chișinău with Bucharest and Galați, among the earliest regular air links in the region.
A Po-2 transport unit arrived in Chișinău, forming the Moldovan squadron of Aeroflot that became the basis for later national aviation.
Tupolev Tu-134 jets entered service, modernizing the Moldovan Soviet fleet, which by the 1980s served 73 Soviet cities.
Following Moldova's independence, Air Moldova was established from the assets of the former local Aeroflot division and began operations.
Chișinău International Airport received formal international status, cementing its role as the country's main air gateway.
Air Moldova joined IATA and achieved IOSA safety certification, aligning the carrier with international operating standards.
Civil Aviation Group completed acquisition of Air Moldova from the Moldovan state for roughly 50 million MDL.
Citing financial constraints and an expired air operator certificate, Air Moldova halted all flights on 3 May 2023, ending 31 years of continuous service.
Air Moldova · FlyOne · Tandem Aero
Wikipedia, Air Moldova corporate history, ICAO