Budget airline Wizz Air has announced a new route from London Gatwick to Chișinău, Moldova, offering one-way fares starting at £36.99. The flights, available from October 25, operate four times weekly year-round, taking approximately three hours and 20 minutes. Moldova is one of Europe's least visited countries, with just over 67,000 foreign tourists annually, but its burgeoning wine industry could attract more visitors.
Route details and connectivity
The new service complements Wizz Air's existing flights from London-Luton Airport. Flights will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The fare includes one carry-on bag measuring up to 40x30x20cm. Chișinău has been named an emerging Eastern European destination, offering a mix of Soviet architecture, historic buildings, and a compact leafy centre.
Exploring Chișinău
Nearly a third of Moldova's population lives in Chișinău. The city centre was largely destroyed in World War II, but Strada Columna retains 19th-century merchant houses and courtyards. Parcul Central Ștefan cel Mare, the oldest park in Moldova, features busts of famous writers. Nearby, the Triumphal Arch commemorates the Russian Empire's victory over the Ottoman Empire, and the Cathedral of Christ's Nativity boasts neoclassical architecture with vast murals and gold-trimmed treasures. In winter, Strada 31 August 1989 offers café culture and street art, while Piața Marii Adunări Naționale hosts Christmas markets from early December to mid-January.
Moldova's wine heritage
Moldova's wine industry, one of Europe's oldest, spans thousands of years. The Codru region, half an hour from Chișinău, features rolling vineyards. Mileștii Mici holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wine collection, with over two million bottles in a cellar stretching 120 miles (34 miles currently in use). Some bottles date back to the 1970s.
Yvonne Moynihan, managing director at Wizz Air UK, said: “We’re delighted to give our UK customers another opportunity to discover Chișinău with the launch of our new service from London Gatwick. Moldova is one of Europe’s emerging destinations, offering everything from fascinating history and vibrant culture to some of the world’s oldest wine regions. With four weekly flights and fares from just £36.99, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to uncover one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for less.”
