Aviation in Moldova
Encyclopedia
Aviation has been a part of Moldova
n society since the early 20th century.
– Galaţi
– Chişinău
.
The first scheduled flights to Chişinău started on 24 June 1926, on the route Bucharest – Galaţi – Chişinău and Iaşi
. The flights were operated by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aérienne - CFRNA
, later LARES. The airport was near Chişinău, at Bulgarica-Ialoveni
. This first flight Chişinău-Bucharest was marked by the launch of a postal stamps. At the Chişinău International Airport
, at the visitors terrace in the second floor (opened in December 2006), there is a sign remembering the first flight on June 24, 1926.
A 10-passenger Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar-powered Farman F.168Bn4 started in May 1928 to operate the domestic air service Bucharest – Galaţi – Chişinău. In that years, planes were used for passenger, newspapers and mail.
In 1936, Nadia Russo
(1901–1988), from Chişinău, was one of the first women from Romania
to obtain a flying licence. In 1937, she bought her Bücker Bü 131
, half of price was paid by the Romanian Ministry of Air and the other half by public subscription in Chişinău.
In 1937 there was an air service Bucharest - Cetatea Albă - Chişinău.
On June 28, 1938 in Chişinău was held an air rally.
During the year 1940, LARES operated daily the route Chişinău - Iaşi - Galaţi - Bucharest (the air service number 2116).
In the interwar period
, among the pilots serving on flights from Chişinău to Bucharest was Constantin Bâzu Cantacuzino
.
was established. Aside from fifteen aircraft of the Po-2 type operating domestic flights and serving in agriculture
, there were also two Li-2, which were used on flights to Moscow
, some Ukrainian
cities and to Black Sea
and Caucasus
summer resorts. A new airport in Chişinău able to accommodate gas turbine aircraft opened early in the 1960s. The enterprise received status of Civil Aviation Administration
in 1965 and new An-10, An-12, and An-24 aircraft expanded its fleet. Regular flights to many cities in the USSR were begun and the transportation of fruits and vegetables grown in Moldovan SSR to the largest industrial centers of the USSR was established.
The first jet aircraft
, an Tu-134, began service in Moldova in 1971 and became the main aircraft of the enterprise, increasing in number until at one point 26 of them were in use. In Chişinău there was even an USSR test basis for aircraft of this type. The fleet was further enlarged in 1972 with the Yak-42 regional aircraft and in 1974 with the An-26 cargo aircraft. In the middle of the 1980s, Moldovan operations received ten Tu-154 aircraft. At that time Moldovan aircraft flew to 73 cities in the USSR and carried over 1,000,000 passengers per year. In 1990 the first international route between Chişinău and Frankfurt am Main was opened.
The most important accident was the 1979 Ukraine Aeroflot mid-air collision
.
was established after the independence of Moldova
and started operations in 1992 on the basis of the local Aeroflot
unit. It is wholly owned by the Republic of Moldova and on 13 July 2004, Air Moldova became an IATA member.
The main terminal of the Chişinău International Airport
was built in the 1970s with a capacity of 1,200,000 passengers per year. On 31 May 1995 Chişinău Airport was awarded the status of an international airport.
Chişinău International Airport
has commercial flights (approximately 20 destinations and 688,000 passengers in 2007).
total:
7
over 3047 m (9,997 ft):
1
2438 to 3047 m (7,998.7 to 9,996.7 ft):
2
1524 to 2437 m (5,000 to 7,995.4 ft):
2
under 914 m (2,999 ft):
1 (2006 est.)
total:
6
914 to 1523 m (2,998.7 to 4,996.7 ft):
3
under 914 m (2,999 ft):
3 (2006 est.)
The Moldovan Air Force is the national air force
of Moldova
. It was formed following Moldova's independence from the Soviet Union
in August 1991 and is part of the Military of Moldova
.
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
n society since the early 20th century.
History
On June 1, 1922 the first aircraft (de Havilland DH.9) started on a 410 kilometres (254.8 mi) long line: BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
– Galaţi
Galati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
– Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
.
The first scheduled flights to Chişinău started on 24 June 1926, on the route Bucharest – Galaţi – Chişinău and Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
. The flights were operated by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aérienne - CFRNA
TAROM
S.C. Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A., doing business as TAROM Romanian Air Transport, is the flag carrier and oldest currently operating airline of Romania. The brand name is an acronym for...
, later LARES. The airport was near Chişinău, at Bulgarica-Ialoveni
Ialoveni
Ialoveni is a city in the Republic of Moldova situated from Chişinău. The city is administrative center of the Ialoveni District.- Twin towns — Sister cities :Ialoveni is twinned with:...
. This first flight Chişinău-Bucharest was marked by the launch of a postal stamps. At the Chişinău International Airport
Chisinau International Airport
Chișinău International Airport is the main international airport in Chișinău, Moldova, located southeast of the centre of Chişinău, the capital city.-History:...
, at the visitors terrace in the second floor (opened in December 2006), there is a sign remembering the first flight on June 24, 1926.
A 10-passenger Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar-powered Farman F.168Bn4 started in May 1928 to operate the domestic air service Bucharest – Galaţi – Chişinău. In that years, planes were used for passenger, newspapers and mail.
In 1936, Nadia Russo
Nadia Russo
Nadia Russo-Bossie was a pioneering aviatrix.-Biography:In 1936, Nadia Russo, from Chişinău, was one of the first women from Romania to obtain a flying licence...
(1901–1988), from Chişinău, was one of the first women from Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
to obtain a flying licence. In 1937, she bought her Bücker Bü 131
Bücker Bü 131
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgeman, Leonard. “The Bücker Bü 131B “Jungmann”.” Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. ISBN 1-85170-493-0....
, half of price was paid by the Romanian Ministry of Air and the other half by public subscription in Chişinău.
In 1937 there was an air service Bucharest - Cetatea Albă - Chişinău.
On June 28, 1938 in Chişinău was held an air rally.
During the year 1940, LARES operated daily the route Chişinău - Iaşi - Galaţi - Bucharest (the air service number 2116).
In the interwar period
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
, among the pilots serving on flights from Chişinău to Bucharest was Constantin Bâzu Cantacuzino
Constantin Cantacuzino (aviator)
Constantin Cantacuzino was a Romanian aviator, one of his country's leading World War II fighter aces, and a member of the Cantacuzino family.-World War II:...
.
Moldavian branch of Aeroflot
On 19 September 1944, the first unit of Po-2 transport aircraft arrived in Chişinău and the Moldovan Squadron of AeroflotAeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
was established. Aside from fifteen aircraft of the Po-2 type operating domestic flights and serving in agriculture
Agricultural aircraft
An agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use - usually aerial application of pesticides or fertilizer ; in these roles they are referred to as "crop dusters" or "top dressers"...
, there were also two Li-2, which were used on flights to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, some Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
cities and to Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
and Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
summer resorts. A new airport in Chişinău able to accommodate gas turbine aircraft opened early in the 1960s. The enterprise received status of Civil Aviation Administration
Civil Aviation Administration of Moldova
The State Civil Aviation Administration of Moldova is the central specialized, executive, coordinating and control body of the Public Administration in the field of civil aviation, founded by the Government of the Republic of Moldova...
in 1965 and new An-10, An-12, and An-24 aircraft expanded its fleet. Regular flights to many cities in the USSR were begun and the transportation of fruits and vegetables grown in Moldovan SSR to the largest industrial centers of the USSR was established.
The first jet aircraft
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
, an Tu-134, began service in Moldova in 1971 and became the main aircraft of the enterprise, increasing in number until at one point 26 of them were in use. In Chişinău there was even an USSR test basis for aircraft of this type. The fleet was further enlarged in 1972 with the Yak-42 regional aircraft and in 1974 with the An-26 cargo aircraft. In the middle of the 1980s, Moldovan operations received ten Tu-154 aircraft. At that time Moldovan aircraft flew to 73 cities in the USSR and carried over 1,000,000 passengers per year. In 1990 the first international route between Chişinău and Frankfurt am Main was opened.
The most important accident was the 1979 Ukraine Aeroflot mid-air collision
1979 Ukraine Aeroflot mid-air collision
The 1979 Dniprodzerzhynsk mid-air collision occurred on when two Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-134s collided over the Ukrainian SSR, near Dniprodzerzhynsk.-Aircraft:...
.
Air Moldova
Air MoldovaAir Moldova
Air Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
was established after the independence of Moldova
Independence of Moldova
The Independence of Moldova was officially recognized on March 2, 1992, when Moldova gained membership of the United Nations. The nation had declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991, and was a co-founder of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States...
and started operations in 1992 on the basis of the local Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
unit. It is wholly owned by the Republic of Moldova and on 13 July 2004, Air Moldova became an IATA member.
Airlines of Moldova
- Air MoldovaAir MoldovaAir Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
- Moldavian AirlinesMoldavian AirlinesMoldavian Airlines is an airline based at Chişinău in Moldova. It operates scheduled international services from Chişinău to destinations in Europe...
- Nobil AirNobil AirNobil Air is an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It operates VIP charter services. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport.The Nobil Air air operators certificate permits the transport of passengers .-History:...
- Tandem AeroTandem AeroTandem Aero is an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It operates passenger charters using leased aircraft. It was established in 1998.The Tandem Aero air operators certificate permits the transport of passengers, goods and mail ....
Defunct airlines of Moldova
- AerianTur-MAerianTur-MAerianTur-M was an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It was established in 1996 and operated passenger and cargo charter services to the Middle East...
- AerocomAerocomAerocom was an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It was suspected to be involved in illegal weapons trade, which ultimately led to the airline being shut-down in 2004.-History:...
- AeronordAeronordAeronord was an airline based in Moldova.On May 8, 2007 Civil Aviation Administration of the Republic of Moldova suspended the Air Operator Certificate issued for Aeronord due to a low level of flight safety and failure to comply with international safety requirements revealed by the inspectors...
- GrixonaGrixonaGrixona was a cargo airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It operated international charter services to destinations in the Republic of Congo, India, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Somalia and the United Arab Emirates...
- Pecotox AirPecotox AirPecotox Air was an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It started operations in November 2001 and operated charter services. Its main base was Chişinău International Airport.....
- Tepavia TransTepavia TransTepavia Trans was a charter airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It was founded on 18 May 1999 and operated cargo and passenger services as well as sub-charter and wet-lease operations. The airline was shut down in 2006.- Fleet :...
Airports
Chisinau International Airport
Chișinău International Airport is the main international airport in Chișinău, Moldova, located southeast of the centre of Chişinău, the capital city.-History:...
was built in the 1970s with a capacity of 1,200,000 passengers per year. On 31 May 1995 Chişinău Airport was awarded the status of an international airport.
Chişinău International Airport
Chisinau International Airport
Chișinău International Airport is the main international airport in Chișinău, Moldova, located southeast of the centre of Chişinău, the capital city.-History:...
has commercial flights (approximately 20 destinations and 688,000 passengers in 2007).
Airports - with paved runways
total:
7
over 3047 m (9,997 ft):
1
2438 to 3047 m (7,998.7 to 9,996.7 ft):
2
1524 to 2437 m (5,000 to 7,995.4 ft):
2
under 914 m (2,999 ft):
1 (2006 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total:
6
914 to 1523 m (2,998.7 to 4,996.7 ft):
3
under 914 m (2,999 ft):
3 (2006 est.)
Civil Aviation Administration
The State Civil Aviation Administration of Moldova is the central specialized, executive, coordinating and control body of the Public Administration in the field of civil aviation, founded by the Government of the Republic of Moldova. The Administration takes decisions of administrative character, approves regulations, norms, instructions and other normative acts obligatory for natural and legal persons who perform their activity in the field of civil aviation.Moldovan Air Force
The Moldovan Air Force is the national air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
. It was formed following Moldova's independence from the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in August 1991 and is part of the Military of Moldova
Military of Moldova
The Moldovan Armed Forces consist of the Ground Forces and Air and Air Defense Forces.- History :Moldova has accepted all relevant arms control obligations of the former Soviet Union...
.