Air Moldova Loses Air Operator's Certificate Due to Non-Compliance

In a significant regulatory action, Air Moldova's Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) has been permanently revoked by the country's civil aviation authority. The decision, announced on 20 February, marks the culmination of a six-month suspension period during which the airline failed to address and rectify minimum operational standards as required by regulatory bodies.

The civil aviation authority highlighted that Air Moldova has been in a state of restructuring for over six months. Despite this period of supposed overhaul, the airline "has not presented any evidence" that it has effectively tackled the "non-conformities" that led to its AOC's initial suspension. A critical point of failure was the airline's lack of any operational aircraft, a fundamental requirement for the reinstatement of its operating license.

Previously, Air Moldova had maintained a fleet that included Airbus single-aisle and Embraer regional jets, serving as the backbone of its operations. However, the authority's statement clarifies that, as of the revocation, Air Moldova does not possess any aircraft that meet the operational standards necessary to hold an AOC.

The decision to revoke the AOC was deemed "inevitable" after Air Moldova failed to demonstrate, at the conclusion of the suspension period, the possession of at least one aircraft with a valid airworthiness certificate. This inability to meet basic regulatory requirements underscored the airline's operational deficiencies.

Throughout the review process, Air Moldova's representatives were given opportunities to participate in discussions with the civil aviation authority but chose not to attend any of the meetings convened to address the airline's non-compliance issues.

The civil aviation authority has left the door open for Air Moldova to re-enter the aviation market, stating, "If the company wants to resume flights, it can initiate a new certification process, in order to obtain the AOC, in accordance with national regulations." This statement suggests that while the current chapter for Air Moldova concludes with the revocation of its AOC, the possibility for future compliance and re-certification remains, should the airline decide to meet the necessary requirements and restructure its operations accordingly.