A report by the Ukrainian outlet UNIAN.Turizm describes how an increasing number of Ukrainian citizens choose to fly abroad through Chisinau International Airport, which has become one of their main transit hubs in recent years.
Journalists identified several drawbacks in the airport’s operations. According to the report, although the airport has undergone modernization and handles growing passenger traffic, it still struggles to keep pace with demand. Reporters pointed out that:
- The waiting areas remain insufficient, especially at night, when passengers sometimes sleep on the floor.
- The number of toilets is too small, and women’s facilities often get overcrowded.
- The food selection is limited, prompting travelers with special diets to bring home food.
- Passport control takes a long time, as procedures resemble those used in Ukraine before the war, and many passengers do not realize that they must undergo additional checks upon arrival in the EU;
- Flights to Western and Northern Europe take longer than those departing from Poland or Hungary, which creates difficulties for travelers with small children or health issues.
Despite these shortcomings, UNIAN journalists highlighted several advantages of flying through Chisinau, with speed and accessibility ranking highest. Crossing the Moldovan–Ukrainian border takes less time than crossing into Poland—sometimes only an hour—and passengers do not need to leave the bus or undergo detailed baggage inspections.
The report notes that transport connections remain strong, with direct buses from Kyiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, and other cities serving the airport. Tickets cost between 700 and 1,100 hryvnias.
Prices in Moldova stay lower than in neighboring countries—covering accommodation, transport, and even airport food, where a pie costs 45–60 lei and coffee around 50 lei.
UNIAN concludes that although Chisinau International Airport is small and sometimes overwhelmed, it offers a practical and affordable option for Ukrainians who cannot fly from their own country.