Moldova proposes ban on flights from Russia, Armenia, and other countries

The Moldovan government is preparing to ban flights from several countries, including Russia, according to a draft law issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

The proposal, which is currently open for public discussion, aims to align Moldova’s national legislation with EU aviation standards.

The new restrictions will apply to airlines from countries such as Russia, Armenia, Afghanistan, Iran, and others, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Specifically, the ban will affect a number of Russian airlines, including Aurora, Aviastar-TU, Izhavia, Yakutia, RusJet, YuVT Aero, Sibir, Smartavia, IrAero, Ural Airlines, ALROSA, NordStar, RusLine, Yamal Airlines, NordWind, Ikar, iFly, Pobeda, Aeroflot, Russia, SKOL, and UTair.

The Moldovan Ministry of Infrastructure emphasized that the primary objective of the proposal is to modernize the country’s civil aviation regulations and ensure compliance with international standards. This move is also intended to enhance air transport safety and protect the rights of Moldovan consumers.

While Moldova is not yet an EU member, the country applied for EU membership in March 2022. In June of that year, Moldova, along with Ukraine, was granted EU candidate status. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has indicated that Moldova could join the EU by 2030, potentially alongside the unrecognized region of Transnistria, which is currently outside the government's control.

In 2023, Chisinau also aligned itself with the EU’s sanctions against Russian individuals and entities, first imposed in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea. In response, Russia has labelled Moldova’s decision to join the EU sanctions as “hostile,” with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning of potential retaliatory measures.

By Tamilla Hasanova