“Tarom would like to specify it carried 2.4 million people in 2017,” the officials of the airline told ZF, without saying anything about the load factor of its planes. Last year’s financial results have yet to be revealed. The operator cut the number of flights on certain routes or even dropped some unprofitable flights in the past year.
The latest estimates for the rectified 2017 spending and revenue budget indicated the airline was to end the year with 206.7 million lei (EUR44 million) losses, compared with the initial provision for losses of RON41.2 million, slightly down on 2016. In all, Tarom’s losses in 2009-2017 are close to RON1.6 billion, ZF has calculated.
The flag carrier was unable to attract more passengers in 2017 despite the growing market. Three low-cost airlines – WizzAir, Blue Air and Ryanair, continued to dominate the local market, accounting for more than 60% of it. (EUR1=RON4.6625)
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)