Flying from Moldova: your rights
Under its aviation agreement with the EU, Moldova committed to apply the EU rules on delays, cancellations and denied boarding. EU rules also cover your flight from any EU airport.
Checked 9 Oct
Airports in Moldova
What protects you on flights with Moldova
On any flight leaving an airport in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, the EU rules apply whatever the airline. On a flight from Moldova to one of those countries, they apply when the airline is from the EU (Regulation 261/2004, article 3).
For delays and bags on international flights, the Montreal Convention can make the airline pay for proven damage when both countries of the trip are party to it. Romania is; ICAO keeps the official list of the other parties.
Moldova signed an aviation agreement with the EU in which it committed to apply the EU passenger rules (Regulation 261/2004). How they are applied there is up to its own authorities, so keep every message from the airline.
Questions
What are extraordinary circumstances?
Events outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security risks. Technical problems with the aircraft usually don't count. The airline has to show the event caused the delay.
Does the airline owe me food or a hotel?
Under EU and UK rules, yes, while you wait for a delayed or cancelled flight: meals and drinks in proportion to the wait, and a hotel with transport if you are stuck overnight. That is separate from compensation.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the country whose courts would hear the claim. On many EU routes it is several years. The check tells you for your flight.
What does FlyHandled cost?
Checking your flight is free. If we handle the claim, the fee is 25% of what the airline pays, VAT included, plus 15% only if it goes to court, and nothing if it pays nothing.
Sources7
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004: EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu
- Air passenger rights: Your Europeeuropa.eu
- The Carriage by Air (Revision of Limits of Liability under the Montreal Convention) Order 2025, SI 2025/123legislation.gov.uk
- Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (Montreal, 1999): ICAOicao.int
- Regulation (EC) No 889/2002: EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu
- Common Aviation Area Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova (OJ L 292, 20.10.2012): EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu
- Eurostat, air passenger transport routes between partner airports and main airports in Romania (avia_par_ro), 2024ec.europa.eu