The development of the domestic market, which has managed to attract new airlines each year, has now become visible at the level of regional airports. As a result, according to forecasts made by regional airport representatives, traffic is expected to rise by 50% this year, double the level seen in 2005.
In the wake of EU integration and of the liberalisation of the domestic air market, airport traffic has increased at a fast rate. Thus, in the first quarter of this year, overall passenger numbers travelling through Romanian airports amounted to 1.4 million, a 46% increase on the same period in 2006.
Not only did the airports in Bucharest witness these positive results, but also so did regional airports, which have budgeted minimum growth rates of 50% for this year.
The biggest domestic regional airport in terms of traffic is Traian Vuia in Timisoara, which this year expects traffic to increase in line with the market rate.
"Passenger traffic was considerably bolstered by the region's economic development and by new investors," say representatives of the airport. Passenger traffic at Traian Vuia was also boosted by charter flights. This summer, 7 airlines are operating charter flights from Timisoara.
Charters have also had a significant affect on the overall increase of air traffic; especially as the number of charter flights operated this year is twice as high as last year, in line with data released by the Employers' Organisation of the National Association of Travel Agencies.
The airport in Cluj also forecasts that traffic will rise by 50% this year, according to estimates made by company officials. H1 results are favourable in this sense, with traffic amounting to 143,406 passengers, an increase of around 40% against the same period of 2006.
The Transilvania airport in Targu-Mures is expected to boast the biggest boom this year, with traffic levels projected to triple as compared to last year's figures. Airport representatives expect to reach a record level of 100,000 passengers this month, with traffic to amount to 160,000 passengers by yearend.
In Moldova, the main flight destination is Bacau airport, whose growth was significantly bolstered by the introduction of the low-cost airline Blue Air.
In Bucharest, traffic continues to surge, both at the Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu airport and at Henri Coanda Otopeni. Given that the Aurel Vlaicu airport is currently undergoing repairs, three months of intense summer traffic has been transferred to Henri Coanda.
In H1, Otopeni airport registered passenger levels of 2.1 million, up 38% against H1, 2006, and thus upwardly revised its 2007 forecast to 5 million passengers, from the initial target of 4.5 million.
This summer's traffic interruption at Baneasa halted last year's growth, when passenger levels were double against 2005. But the enlargement of the airport runway and the arrival of some new low-cost airlines are certain to secure growth next year.
Regional airport traffic
Budgeted growth rates of at least 50% for this year
Biggest regional airport in terms of traffic is Traian Vuia in Timisoara
Cluj airport estimates traffic will rise by 50% this year
The Transilvania airport in Targu-Mures is expected to boast the biggest boom this year, with traffic levels projected to triple as compared to last year's figures
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