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Moldova to stop using Soviet-made planes within 5 years

Moldova will stop using Soviet-made airplanes within the next five years, the government press service said on Monday, October 31

CHISINAU, October 31 (Itar-Tass) —— Moldova will stop using Soviet-made airplanes within the next five years, the government press service said on Monday, October 31.

The country assumed such obligations under the agreement on common airspace with the European Union. The document will enter into force in February or March 2012 after approval by the parliament.

Moldova currently uses Sdoviet-made planes only for cargo transportation. Yak-40, An-24 and Tu-134 passenger planes, which used to make up Moldovan airlines’ fleet, had expended their service life and were replaced by Airbus A320 and Embraer-120 aircraft several years ago.

The government believes that “the agreement will benefit air carriers because Moldovan planes used to fly to EU countries under bilateral agreements, while now all restrictions on routes and number of flights will be lifted from local airlines”.

The government also expects the agreement to help liberalise the market of aviation transportation services in the country and cut prices by 30-40 percent by letting in low-cost companies.