Special measures taken at Chisinau Airport during transit of Hasidic pilgrims

The Eugen Doga International Airport – Chisinau will implement special measures as of September 7 to 17, when a significant increase in passenger and aircraft traffic is expected, in the context of the transit of Hasidic pilgrims.

To manage the flows and maintain airport’s operations under normal conditions, the airport’s administration will work together with the Border Police and Customs Service, with the support of the Carabiniers and the Police.

The measures prepared include increasing staff in areas with heavy traffic, permanently monitoring the number of passengers, and making operative  adjustments to the organization of activities, in order to reduce waiting times.

Authorities said that measures would be taken to streamline traffic and maintain order and safety, so that the additional flows do not affect regular flights and cause minimal inconvenience to other passengers.

Travelers are advised to plan their trip to the airport in advance, taking into account possible congestion during this period and heavier road traffic in the airport area.

The Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman is one of the most important annual religious events for the Hasidic Jewish community. Every year, during Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – tens of thousands of believers from Israel, the United States, and other countries travel to Uman, Ukraine. Pilgrims come mainly to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, who died in 1810 and was buried in Uman. His followers consider praying at the rabbi’s tomb during Rosh Hashanah a particularly important religious tradition. Due to the war and the closure of Ukrainian airspace to civil aviation, many pilgrims reach the region through neighboring countries, including Moldova, from where they continue their journey by land to Uman.

In 2026, Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated on September 11-13 and the pilgrimage generates a significant flow of travelers in the region every year.