War against Ukraine: Airline Wizz Air to suspend flights to Moldova over ‘risk’ in country’s airspace

Eastern European airline Wizz Air is to suspend flights to Moldova amid fears over aircraft safety in the country.

The airline said there was an “elevated” risk in Moldova’s air space amid increased tensions in the region. A stray missile last month flew into Moldova, which borders Ukraine as well as Romania.

Wizz Air said flights into the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, would be stopped from March 14. It said it would instead increase international routes from Iasi – the closest Romanian airport to the Moldovan border.

The airline said: "Safety of the passengers and crew remain Wizz Air's number one priority. Following the recent developments in Moldova and the elevated, but not imminent, risk in the country's airspace, Wizz Air has made the difficult, but responsible decision to suspend all flights to Chisinau from March 14."

Wizz Air has suspended flights to Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

Moldova’s infrastructure ministry said it was disappointed at the airline’s decision, saying flights “which respect a number of procedures could be carried out safely”.

It has been feared Moldova, a former Soviet territory that had in recent years been aligned with the West and became a candidate for European Union accession last year, could be drawn into the conflict.

The Kremlin said on Monday it was concerned over the situation in the pro-Soviet Moldovan breakaway republic of Transnistria, saying Ukraine and the West could be trying to create tensions. However, there have been claims Russia could stage a “false flag” attack, which could look like Ukraine had invaded the territory. It has also been claimed Russia is plotting a coup to overthrow pro-European Moldovan president Maia Sandu.