Polaris Airlines (Z9/PAP) is a new Moldovan ultra-low-cost carrier that officially launched operations in November 2026, establishing its primary hub at Chiศinฤu International Airport. The airline is entering a rapidly expanding Moldovan aviation market that has seen strong passenger growth and increasing competition from carriers such as Wizz Air and HiSky. Its business model focuses on low fares, point-to-point service, and serving both Moldova’s large diaspora communities and leisure travelers heading to popular European and Mediterranean destinations.
Polaris Airlines is establishing its primary hub at Chiศinฤu International Airport. The airline is entering a rapidly expanding Moldovan aviation market that has seen strong passenger growth and increasing competition from carriers such as Wizz Air and HiSky. Its business model focuses on low fares, point-to-point service, and serving both Moldova’s large diaspora communities and leisure travelers heading to popular European and Mediterranean destinations.
The launch comes as Moldova’s aviation sector continues to expand following several years of strong demand growth and increased international connectivity. Polaris aims to capitalize on this opportunity by positioning itself as a low-cost alternative on key routes from Chiศinฤu to major European cities. The carrier has branded itself as an ultra-low-cost airline, offering passengers basic fares with optional ancillary services similar to other European low-cost operators. According to the airline and industry reports, its initial focus is on markets with strong ethnic, labor, and tourism traffic flows. The carrier is launching with a network centered on Italy, Central Europe, Ireland, and Tรผrkiye.
The airline’s first route is between Chiศinฤu and Istanbul Airport. Service began on November 5, 2026, with frequencies scheduled to increase to daily operations by December. Istanbul provides Polaris with access to one of the largest air transport markets in the region and a major connecting gateway between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The route also serves substantial business, tourism, and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic between Moldova and Tรผrkiye.
The second phase of the airline’s rollout begins on November 18, 2026, when Polaris launches services from Chiศinฤu to Bologna, Prague, and Verona. Each route is scheduled to operate three times weekly. The Italian routes target Moldova’s significant expatriate population in northern Italy, while Prague provides access to a growing Central European market.
Expansion continues with the launch of Chiศinฤu-Milan Malpensa service on November 19, 2026, also operating three weekly flights. Milan represents one of the largest Moldovan diaspora markets in Western Europe and is expected to be an important component of the carrier’s early network. Service to Rome Fiumicino follows on November 20, 2026, likewise operating three times weekly. Together with Bologna, Verona, and Milan, Rome gives Polaris a substantial presence in one of Moldova’s strongest international markets.
On November 21, 2026, the airline plans to launch service between Chiศinฤu and Dublin with three weekly flights. Dublin has become an increasingly important destination for Moldovan workers and expatriates, and the route adds further geographic diversity to the carrier’s opening network.
The strategy behind the launch is to build a network linking Moldova directly with major European capitals and cities that have significant Moldovan communities, reducing reliance on connections through larger foreign hubs. This places Polaris in direct competition with several established operators already serving the Moldovan market, particularly Wizz Air, HiSky, and other low-cost and regional carriers operating from Chiศinฤu.
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