Constantin Vozian justifies the increase of the parking fee at Chisinau International Airport
After the press reported about the increase of parking fees at Chisinau International Airport, the administrator of Chisinau International Airport, Constantin Vozian, offered explanations. He noted that all the actions taken are aimed at modernising the airport and attracting new airlines to the Moldovan market. Vozian pointed out that for the past 30 years, 90% of the airport's revenues were made up of airport charges, and only 8-10% non-airport revenues such as parking, VIP terminal, rental.
"Obviously with such a high share of airport fee revenues, lowering them to make the airport attractive to low-cost airlines becomes impossible. I remind you that from July 1, 2023 the modernization fee was reduced by 50%, from 01.01.2024 the modernization fee will be totally excluded, and on the last phase of promotion is the Incentive Policy which will create the possibility to have discounts even from the reduced fees of another 50%. We are creating conditions for low-cost. This is what society and the national economy needs," the Airport Administrator wrote on his Facebook page.
He also noted that according to the International Air Carrier Association (IATA) in efficient airports, the ratio between airport and non-airport revenues is 75%/25%.
"How is this possible? Simple - low airport charges (to favour low-cost carriers) and expensive parking, expensive coffee, expensive terminal space locations, expensive drinking water and everything else besides flying is expensive. By the way, for the first time, the airport gives free water during the heatwave", explained Constantin Vozian.
He stressed that in order to ensure the modernization of the airport, reduce airport charges and ensure the airport's activity, revenues are needed, which are collected for the modernization of the airport.
"We have inherited a piece of equipment at the parking lot which due to its wear and tear is already almost non-functional. Replacing the whole system can cost as much as 300,000 euros. I assure that the Marketing Service of Chisinau International Airport will come up with a comprehensive analysis of the parking activity, the price compared with other locations in Chisinau and necessarily with other airports in the capital at international level, to justify this price and moreover, the fact that this price is also insufficient, if we return to the strategy of reducing dependence on airport charges," Vozian said.
The price for an hour in the Chisinau International Airport car park has doubled. Thus, the rate was increased from 10 lei to 20 lei.
