Romanian Airlines Startup Poised for Late 2023 Launch Amid Connectivity Gaps

The Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR) has set a December 1 deadline for the establishment of Romanian Airlines, a domestic startup aimed at improving connectivity between Romanian cities. The joint-stock company is set to be owned by county councils operating local airports across the country, addressing challenges arising from inadequate land and railway infrastructure.

Initially announced in July 2023, the plan aims to fill the void in direct flights between major Romanian cities, as highlighted in a study presented during a CCIR meeting on October 4. Talks are reportedly underway with Let Kunovice (Uherske Hradiste) for the potential deployment of Let 410 aircraft in the startup’s fleet.

CCIR President Mihai Daraban revealed that county councils have already approved the establishment of the airline as a joint-stock company, with municipalities as shareholders. The carrier’s focus will be on connecting important cities in the country, operating with a substantial number of small-capacity aircraft.

Daraban emphasized the current inconvenience faced by travelers, stating, “At the moment, if someone wants to fly from Constanta to Timisoara, they have to make a stopover in Rome or Milan because there’s no direct flight between the two Romanian cities. We are basically talking about a big waste of time and money.”

In a separate development, József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, expressed the opinion that Romania does not necessarily require its own airline. Váradi suggested that Wizz Air, with its significant market share, could potentially dominate the Romanian air transport market, especially if the national carrier TAROM faces challenges in its restructuring process.

Wizz Air and Wizz Air Malta currently hold an almost 40% market share at Bucharest Henri Coanda, making the carrier a dominant player in the region. As discussions around the Romanian Airlines startup progress, the dynamics of the aviation market in Romania will be closely observed, particularly with Wizz Air’s expanding presence in the country.