Flydubai has inaugurated its twice-weekly service to Chișinău, becoming the only UAE carrier to offer direct flights to Moldova, the Dubai-based airline announced on September 18 in a press release seen by IntelliNews.

The inaugural flight to International Airport "Eugen Doga" Chișinău was welcomed with a water cannon salute and received by local airport officials, including Sergiu Spoială, the airport's general director and comes as part of a push by the low-cost airline to reach new European destinations. 

Jeyhun Efendi, divisional senior vice president of commercial operations and e-commerce at Flydubai, said the airline is pleased to strengthen connectivity to Europe with the launch of the service. "As our newest gateway to Europe, Moldova offers our customers more options to explore previously underserved destinations," Efendi said.

Spoială said the direct connection to Dubai marks an important milestone for the airport and Moldova, creating new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange whilst strengthening the country's role as a regional gateway.

The service reflects Flydubai's growing European presence, with the carrier set to begin operations to Iași, Romania, on September 19. Vilnius in Lithuania and Riga in Latvia will join the network in December.

Flights to Chișinău operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport. Emirates will codeshare on the route, providing passengers with more connection options through Dubai.

Return business class fares from Dubai to Chișinău start from AED8,000 ($2,178) whilst economy class lite fares begin at AED1,600 ($436). Return business class fares from Chișinău to Dubai start from EUR2,000 and economy class lite fares from EUR380.

According to a previous press release by the company, the airline is also adding new flights to Africa with new routes to Kenya, IntelliNews previously reported. 

Flydubai's regional competitor, a Hungarian Wizz Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi subsidiary, previously operated a direct route from the UAE to Moldova.