Chisinau International Airport Aeroportul International Chisinau
IATA: KIV – ICAO: LUKK
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		CIA
Location		Chisinau, Moldova
Elevation AMSL		399 ft / 122 m
Coordinates		46°55′40″N 028°55′51″E / 46.92778°N 28.93083°E / 46.92778; 28.93083 (Chisinau International Airport)Coordinates: 46°55′40″N 028°55′51″E / 46.92778°N 28.93083°E / 46.92778; 28.93083 (Chisinau International Airport)
Website		www.airport.md
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	m	ft
08/26	3,590	11,779	Concrete
Statistics (2009)
Passengers			809,072
Aircraft movements			11,623
Source: Moldavian AIP at EUROCONTROL Aircraft movements data for 2007

Chisinau International Airport (IATA: KIV, ICAO: LUKK) is the main international airport in Moldova, located 13 km (8.1 mi) southeast of the capital city, Chisinau.

History

The first scheduled flights to Chisinau started on 24 June 1926, on the route Bucharest – Galati – Chisinau and Iasi. The flights were operated by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aerienne - CFRNA, later LARES.

The main terminal was built in the 1970s with a capacity of 1,200,000 passengers per year. On 31 May 1995 Chisinau Airport was awarded the status of an international airport.

Following moderization work by the Turkish company Akfen Holding A.S., the airport reopened in May 2000. An annex terminal building with an area of 4,270 m (46,000 sq ft) was added to the renovated present terminal building of 7,600 m (82,000 sq ft). The project covers construction of 3,000 m (32,000 sq ft) curtain walls, 3,200 m (34,000 sq ft) composite panels, 12,185 m (131,160 sq ft) asphalt road, a treatment plant with a capacity of 3,450 m (122,000 cu ft) a day, complete mechanical heating, ventilation and electrical systems along with the X-ray security, luggage handling, master clock, and flight information systems. The annual capacity of the airport has increased to 5.4 million passengers.

Chisinau International Airport is a member of Airports Council International.

Airlines and destinations

Four national companies are involved in passenger air transportation, namely: Air Moldova, Moldavian Airlines, Tandem Aero and Vichi.

Among the national air companies, the biggest share of the passenger transport market is held by the state airline Air Moldova, followed by Moldavian Airlines and Tandem Aero. The national airlines have a share of less than two thirds of the market.

Cargo airlines

Infrastructure and facilities

The main terminal of Chisinau International Airport

There are ten check-in desks and four gates at the airport. VIP and CIP guests are offered special services at the VIP terminal.

A visitors terrace in the second floor opened in December 2006 but was closed due to security measures. The airport also has a commemorative plaque describing the first flight to Moldova on 24 June 1926 on the routes Bucharest-Galati-Iasi and Chisinau.

Previously passengers had to present their passport, ticket and their registration (of foreigners - which used to be required). Passengers were allowed in the check in hall. With the introduction of e-tickets and the abolition of the registration for foreigners the airport reorganized in late 2006. This resulted in a bigger check-in hall and customs control is now after check-in.

Development

There are plans to enlarge the airport. The project involves EUR 19 million loan to Chisinau International Airport for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing runway, taxiways, aprons, and ramps, engineering works, safety equipment and other connected core assets of Chisinau International Airport. The European Investment Bank ('EIB') is considering co-financing alongside EBRD for up to an equal amount.

Airport statistics

Traffic figures

Busiest routes:

• Chisinau - Moscow (Domodedovo International Airport), with 177,300 (+92.9%) passengers carried in 2008
• Chisinau - Istanbul (Ataturk International Airport), with 141,900 (+3%) passengers transported in 2008
• Chisinau - Verona, with 59,200 (+3%) passengers transported in 2008

Cargo and Mail

Figures are in thousand tons.

To and from the airport

Chisinau airport at night

There is a bus and a mini-bus (rutiera) to the airport (aerogara). The rutiera line 165 passes through the Botanica district and continues to the city center. The 'AEROGARA' bus departs from Piata D. Cantemir and has intermediate stops in the city center on the Stefan Cel Mare street and also stops at the central railway station 'GARA' bus station. It has a white livery bus operating with a 30 minute interval. The fares are paid to the bus conductor.

Taxis drive in 15–25 minutes to the airport. They charge between 70 and 80 lei ie. 6-7 euros. It is advisable to agree a price beforehand.

Arriving passengers can find authorized taxis (Taxi 1407, yellow cars) at the departure exit.

The airport is located at the mainway to the south.

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2010.
We don't guarantee the information is fresh and accurate. The data may be wrong or outdated.
For more up-to-date information please refer to other sources.