A century of commercial aviation marked at Iasi Airport by Romanian and Moldovan officials
Authorities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova marked 100 years since the inauguration of Romania's first commercial aviation route - Bucharest-Galati-Iasi-Chisinau - through an anniversary event held on Wednesday at Iasi Airport, in partnership with the Romanian Air League and the Iasi County Council.
The ceremony, hosted at airport Terminal T4, brought together officials from both countries, representatives of local administrations, members of the aeronautical community and security institutions, in a tribute to a milestone moment in the history of Romanian air transport. A commemorative plaque marking the centenary of the first commercial flight on the Bucharest-Galati-Chisinau route was unveiled, and participants visited an exhibition on aviation history featuring items from the collection of retired commander Ioan Botez, a member of the Romanian Air League.
Through this anniversary event, Iasi Airport paid homage both to the pioneers of commercial aviation and to the transformations that have made air transport one of the defining mobility systems of the modern world.
Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Vladimir Bolea, recalled that Chisinau has recently aligned its civil aviation celebrations with this historical moment.
'In 2025 the Republic of Moldova supported the proposal to move Civil Aviation Day to June 24. This year we celebrate it for the second time, but we also mark another important moment - 100 years since the first commercial flight, from Bucharest to Galati, and from Galati one aircraft flew to Chisinau and another to Iasi,' he said. Bolea noted that the inaugural flight also carried mail, marking the start of commercial postal aviation. 'This is why the Romanian Post and the Moldovan Post collaborated to issue several collectible stamps,' the Moldovan official added.
Iasi County Council president Costel Alexe said the vision of a century ago has become reality.
'If a century ago connecting Iasi by air was just a perspective, a vision of the future, today we can say that vision has been fulfilled and continues to develop. It is no coincidence that Iasi was part of this historic route from the very beginning,' he stated, adding that Iasi has long been a gateway to Eastern Europe and a meeting point for ideas and opportunities.
He also highlighted the natural link with Chisinau: 'We have always been brothers standing by each other on this eastern border of Europe.'
Speakers pointed out Iasi city's early role in regional air connectivity. Romanian Transport Ministry Secretary of State Irinel Scriosteanu recalled that the period of the first commercial flights coincided with the construction of numerous bridges over the Prut River, 'the start being given by the most famous minister and engineer, Anghel Saligny'.
Officials also pointed to ongoing cross-border infrastructure projects, including the new bridge over the Prut at Ungheni, part of the A8 'Union Motorway', and the planned electrified railway link between Iasi and Ungheni.
Vladimir Bolea noted recent progress: 'Yesterday I was in Brussels and signed for the feasibility study, which must be completed by the end of 2027, with work to extend the project to Chisinau starting in 2028'.
The first commercial flight on the Bucharest-Galati-Iasi-Chisinau route took place on June 24, 1926, an event considered the birth of commercial aviation in the region. The inaugural ceremony, attended by King Ferdinand I, members of the Royal Family and the diplomatic corps, included an air show at Baneasa Airport. Two De Havilland DH-9 aircraft took off for Galati, each carrying a volunteer passenger. In 1927, the DH-9s were replaced with six Czechoslovak-built Avia BH-25 aircraft. The price of a ticket on the route was equivalent to that of a train fare. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniela Malache; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – marketing@agerpres.ro.
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
U.S. Ambassador says deterrence depends on capabilities, and Romania's capabilities remain strong
U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest Darryl Nirenberg, speaking on Wednesday ahead of the U.S. National Day reception, said that deterrence is not about the number of troops but about capabilities, and that capabilities in Romania remain strong. He reiterated that the United States is committed to NATO, singling Romania out for being among the top countries allocating
Nicusor Dan: NATO's eastern flank and Black Sea are on front line of Russia threats
NATO's eastern flank and the Black Sea region are on the front line of Russian threats, President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday at the United States Independence Day reception. 'We must not forget that, in our neighborhood, Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues, and Romania and its citizens are directly affected by the consequences of the r
FEATURE/ Ia Day/ 'Stefan cel Mare' Vaslui County Museum revives old traditional shirts
Ten women's folk blouses sewn after the patterns of old traditional shirts held in the collection of the 'Stefan cel Mare' County Museum in Vaslui were showcased on Wednesday in an exhibition marking Universal Ia Day. The items were crafted by several women who, out of love for traditional dress, took part in the cultural project 'Vaslui Sewing
Victoria Palace to be illuminated Wednesday in colors of Romanian and U.S. flags
The Victoria Palace will be illuminated on Wednesday evening in the colors of the flags of Romania and the United States of America, as a symbol of strategic bilateral relations and friendship, informs the Government Press Office. According to the cited source, the Government joins the 'Freedom 250' campaign, which includes several events intended to m
Merops anti-drone system integrated with Romanian Army's defence architecture
The Merops counter-unmanned aircraft system, made available to Romania by the United States of America under a bilateral strategic partnership, has been made operational and become integrated with the defence architecture the Romanian Army, the Defence Ministry (MApN) informed on Wednesday. According to MApN, before being put into service, the system went thro
Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry opens Representation Office in New Delhi
The Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB) has opened a Representation Office in New Delhi, to be headed by Dan Pantea, the institution announced on Wednesday in a release. The New Delhi office will ensure institutional representation in relations with central and local authorities, government and international organisations, local chambers of comme
Grindeanu says he will reduce VAT if there is fiscal space, respecting Romania's agreements
PSD chairman Sorin Grindeanu declared on Wednesday that if he becomes prime minister and if there is fiscal space respecting Romania's agreements, he will have no hesitation in reducing VAT. Grindeanu was asked if he would reduce VAT if he became prime minister. 'I know that these things could generate news in one form or another. First
Interim FinMin Nazare: Romania does not deserve to lose billions of euros in financing and funding
Romania does not deserve to suddenly lose billions of euros in financing or funding, as it risked doing last summer, and Romanians, despite the division being fuelled today from all directions, need these funds and this place in the world as they need air, interim Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare wrote on his social media page on Wednesday. 'In two weeks,
PSD decides to assume government responsibility; Grindeanu nominated as prime minister
The National Standing Bureau (BPN) of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) decided on Wednesday, unanimously, that the party will assume government responsibility, with Social Democratic Party leader Sorin Grindeanu as prime minister nominee. 'The PSD's National Standing Bureau decided, unanimously, to assume government responsibility, and the party presi
Romanian Blouse Day/Culture Ministry: Celebration of women who passed down altita blouse craftsmanship
The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, diligence and craftsmanship of the women who have created and passed down through generations the traditions associated with making the ie with alti?a, from weaving the fabric to tailoring the garment and selecting its distinctive ornaments, the Culture Ministry said on Wednesday.
Only 40% vacancies display salary info two weeks after transparency comes into force
Only 40% of job vacancies display salary information two weeks after the salary transparency law came into force, representing more than 6,600 positions, according to data from an online recruitment platform. The new salary transparency rules require employers to communicate salary information before the interview stage. According eJobs Romania
(P)How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Italy
Moving to Italy is a great opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The living costs here are also cheaper compared to other European countries, so if you decide to take this step, you would be in a win-win situation.
(P)How Can You Immigrate to France?
Have you ever visited France and wanted to remain there? This is what many of those who decided to return and live in France have probably felt like. Immigration to any country, not just France, often requires a lot of preparation, but most importantly, you need to have aspects like a place to stay and a
ANM issues Code Yellow warning for atmospheric instability in areas of 23 counties on Wednesday
Meteorologists issued a Code Yellow warning for unstable weather on Wednesday, valid throughout the day in areas across 23 counties in Moldavia, Dobrogea, Muntenia, Transylvania and Oltenia. According to the National Meteorological Administration (ANM), on Wednesday between 12:00 and 21:00, in northern Oltenia and Dobrogea, northern and north-eastern Muntenia,