Air Moldova
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Air Moldova | ||
|---|---|---|
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| IATA 9U |
ICAO MLD |
Callsign AIR MOLDOVA[1] |
| Founded | 1993 | |
| Hubs | Chişinău International Airport | |
| Fleet size | 5 | |
| Destinations | 14 | |
| Headquarters | Chişinău | |
| Key people | ||
| Website: http://www.airmoldova.md | ||
Air Moldova is an airline based in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport[2].
The Air Moldova air operators certificate permits the transport of passengers, goods and mail (at July 2007).[3]
Contents |
[edit] History
The airline was established and started operations in 1992 on the basis of the local Aeroflot unit. It is wholly owned by the Republic of Moldova and has 598 employees[2]. On July 13, 2004, Air Moldova became an IATA member.
In 2001 the first western aircraft were included in the fleet, an Embraer 145 jet replacing Russian equipment.
In 2003, the aircraft livery and the corporate logo were changed. On December 15, 2004, Air Moldova started its frequent flyer programme, Air Moldova Club. [4]
Air Moldova's passenger growth was about 20% in 2007.
In the first half of 2007 the profit of Air Moldova was 840.000 USD.
From the 1st of January 2008 Air Moldova adopts the low-cost model. This step might make Air Moldova more competitive, when the Moldavian aviation market will be further liberalised in 2009. Also this move will attract more passengers that use mostly the traditional way of ground transportation. The first low-cost flight will be to Moscow/Domodedovo and prices start from 39 euro (one way without taxes).
The state administration is protecting the flag carrier from local competition by Moldavian Airlines or foreign airlines. Aerosvit of Ukraine and other airlines are not allowed to operate night flights which offer good connections to other parts of the world.
[edit] Destinations
- Further information: Air Moldova destinations
[edit] Fleet
The Air Moldova fleet includes the following aircraft
- 2 Airbus A320-200 – since 21 September 2003 and 25 September 2007
- 1 MD-81 YR-MDJ, leased from JetTran Air
- 1 Tupolev Tu-134A-3 – registration ER-65140 (government aircraft, sometimes used by MLD)
- 1 Yakovlev Yak-40 – registration ER-YGD
In 2001, Air Moldova leased Embraer 120 and 145 aircraft. The two Yakovlev Yak-42s went back to Russia in late 2003 and 2004. The last Tupolev Tu-154B (ER-85285) was destroyed on July 5, 2006.
In November 2006, 93.1 million Moldovian Lei (about 6 Million Euro) were transferred from the 2006 state budget to Air Moldova. With another 9 million Lei taken from a bank, one of the two Airbus 320 will be bought. The opposition has doubts about the transparency of this deal. [5]
In June 2007, Air Moldova gave back one Airbus 320 to the lessor after 38 months of service. [6]
A MD-82 (SX-BSQ) from SkyWings has been leased for 5 months from 15. May till end of October 2007. [7]
The Tupolev Tu-134 operated the Moscow and Istanbul flights more often when the second Airbus left the fleet. In the past Air Moldova chartered a Cirrus B735, the Moldavian Airlines Fokker 100, a Bulgarian Air VIA A320, Jet Tran Air MD81/82s and a Khors Aircompany M82 as a replacement. The Yak-40 replaces the Embraer 120 (e.g. to Prague or Vienna) when that aircraft is in maintenance.
The first Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia was part of the fleet from 12 October 2001 until 28 September 2006 when it was transfered to Tandem Aero.
The second Embraer 120RT flew between 23 April 2004 and 26 March 2005 for Air Moldova.
In general the fleet has recorded a dramatic change from obsolete soviet aircraft to more modern western-built equipment, but the aircrafts still lack proper care and service and often cause distruptions and delays as they break down quite often.
Embraer has signed a firm order with the Moldovan flag carrier Air Moldova for one one-class Embraer 190 regional jet. The contract includes purchase rights for another aircraft. Delivery is scheduled for March 2010.
[edit] Passenger statistics
| Year | Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 251,800 |
| 2006 | 280,000 |
| 2007 | 316,000 |
| 1-4/08 | 91,600 |
[edit] Services
One can buy electronic tickets through the website of Air Moldova[1]. The credit card used when paying for one's flight on-line must be presented in some cases at check-in to prevent fraud. Frequent travellers can collect miles and earn free flights. The inflights meals are quite simple. A sandwich is what one possibly can get. The choice of newspapers is quite limited, mostly russian or the official newspaper of the Communist Party.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Airline Codes
- ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International, 2007-03-27, p. 63.
- ^ Air Operators. Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Moldova (2007-07-05). Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
- ^ Air Moldova
- ^ All Moldova
- ^ Airfleets
- ^ Airliners
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