By passenger traffic reported in 2013, Henri Coanda (Otopeni) airport is still Romania’s biggest airport, with 7.6 million passengers, only 7% more than in 2012 but up 55% against 2010. The airport in 2013 contributed 71% to the overall air traffic.
The Cluj-Napoca airport comes second, with 1 million passengers in 2013, up 11% on the year, while the Timisoara airport ranks third, with 757,000 passengers, down 27% against the previous year.
The airport positioned fourth, the one of Targu-Mures, boasted the biggest increase in the number of passengers in the past four years. Traffic rose from 74,000 persons in 2010 to 364,000 last year. In 2013 alone, the number of passengers advanced by 21% year-on-year.
The significant increase came as low-cost carrier Wizz Air opened in 2011 a base in Targu-Mures, from which it operates several flights to external destinations. Tarom also flies from this airport.
The airport of Bacau, ranking fifth, did not manage to lift its number of passengers last year against 2012, reporting traffic of just 307,000 passengers.
The lowest traffic in 2013 was registered on the airports of Tulcea, Baneasa, Satu Mare, Baia Mare and Suceava.
The deepest decline in the number of passengers in the past four years was posted by the Aurel Vlaicu (Baneasa) airport, with just 6,000 passengers in 2013 from 424,000 in 2012 and 2.1 million in 2010.
The decline came as Blue Air and Wizz Air low-cost carriers moved their flights to Henri Coanda airport. The move was operated as authorities decided to close down the airport for regulated flights with a view to modernization, though the airport boasts one of the best tracks in the country, according to market players.
Other airports in Romania need to be revamped, but just a few have been shortlisted.
“Traffic at an airport depends on the potential of the area, on touristic facilities. All airports need investments. Investments will be operated at the airports of Oradea, Suceava, Iasi,” said David Ciceo, president of the Romanian Airports Association.
Since late 2012, Henri Coanda airport has a new departure terminal meant to ease traffic. The airport in 2013 attracted new airlines, which will boost revenue and passenger traffic in 2014.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)