Bucharest airports “Henri Coandă” and “Aurel Vlaicu” (Băneasa) recorded a traffic record in 2025, exceeding the threshold of 17.7 million passengers, an increase of over 10% compared to the previous year. This evolution reflects an accelerated growth trend also visible at the European level, where air traffic reached an absolute historic high in the first week of July 2026.
According to data from the Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB), centralized by the Vola.ro platform and transmitted by Agerpres, Otopeni Airport individually recorded nearly 17.01 million travelers in 2025. At the national level, the Romanian Airports Association reported exceeding the threshold of 28.5 million passengers for the entire year 2025.
The growth trend continues in 2026. Data monitored by Eurocontrol shows that the European air traffic network marked a new historic record of 37,447 flights in a single day during the first week of July, with the daily average exceeding the threshold of 36,000 flights for the first time this year.
This significant accumulation of demand in the summer season, fueled by holiday departures and additional flights by low-cost carriers, puts increased pressure on all stages of a journey, from bookings and parking to terminal flow. In this context, specialists recommend that passengers arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before their flight, check in online, check their travel documents in advance, and anticipate the travel time to the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passengers did Bucharest airports handle in 2025?
Bucharest airports “Henri Coandă” and “Aurel Vlaicu” handled over 17.7 million passengers in 2025, marking a record growth of over 10%.
What is the European air traffic record in 2026?
In the first week of July 2026, the European air traffic network reached a historic record of 37,447 flights in a single day.
What are the recommendations for passengers during peak season?
Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before their flight, check in online, and verify travel documents in advance.