Barcelona-El Prat Airport boosts Eastern European connectivity with new direct route to Chișinău
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) has strengthened its ties with Eastern Europe following the launch of a new direct route to Chișinău (KIV), the capital of Moldova, operated by Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines.
The newly introduced service connects Barcelona with Moldova’s main international airport three times per week, with flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. This long-awaited direct link eliminates the need for layovers for passengers traveling between the two cities.
SkyUp Airlines, a privately owned Ukrainian carrier that primarily operated as a low-cost airline prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has shown remarkable resilience. With Ukrainian airspace closed, the airline has shifted its operational strategy, keeping part of its fleet active through wet-lease agreements with other carriers and launching new routes from foreign bases—such as this newly inaugurated service from Barcelona.
The decision to launch the Barcelona–Chișinău route is driven by several strategic factors. Firstly, Spain, and particularly Catalonia, is home to a significant Moldovan diaspora, for whom this direct link will greatly facilitate VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travel. Secondly, it enhances ties between Moldova—a candidate for European Union membership—and Spain, a key EU member state. Additionally, the route is expected to stimulate emerging tourism to Moldova and support business travel.
For Barcelona-El Prat Airport, this new route represents another step forward in consolidating its position as a leading hub in Southern Europe, expanding its destination offerings and enhancing its international connectivity.
This direct connection operated by SkyUp Airlines not only improves travel options between Spain and Moldova, but also highlights the aviation industry's ability to adapt in complex geopolitical contexts.
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