One of the changes brought by the pandemic to the tourism and air travel sector is the increased interest in domestic flights, particularly on routes where the road alternative would involve many hours spent in traffic, as well as an increase in the number of international routes operated from secondary airports in Romania.
Thus, compared to 2019, when airports nationwide recorded over 23 million passengers—more than 60% of whom arrived at or departed from Henri Coandă Bucharest International Airport—in the post-pandemic period, we observe a growth in routes and the number of passengers choosing to land or take off using smaller airports in Romania.
Vola.ro conducted a study regarding the situation of Romanian airports, a report that summarizes passenger opinions and preferences concerning domestic airports, as well as the criteria on which this evaluation was based.
Henri Coandă International Airport handles the largest volume of air traffic, operating both domestic and international flights, and serves as the primary connection point between Romania and numerous destinations in Europe and the rest of the world. Thanks to its generous portfolio of airlines and the variety of routes it provides, it was chosen by 70.6% of the study participants.
Among the weaknesses noted by travelers are queues and the lack of sufficient staff, factors that hinder airport procedures, causing delays, luggage issues, and flight schedule changes.
Avram Iancu International Airport in Cluj-Napoca was appreciated for its cleanliness (9/10), staff friendliness (9.1/10), and efficient signaling of gates and counters (9/10). Among the weaknesses noted by travelers is the lack of variety regarding available restaurants and shops.
George Enescu Bacău International Airport received the highest scores from its passengers, specifically for efficient signaling (9.4/10) and cleanliness (9.1/10), being among the only airports praised for its attention to cleanliness.
Iași International Airport obtained good marks for efficient signaling (9/10), thanks to its organized space, which helps travelers quickly find gates and counters.
Ștefan cel Mare Suceava International Airport was penalized for several aspects, such as cleanliness (7.7/10), staff friendliness (7.3/10), and accessibility (6.6/10).
The other airports included in the study are those in Sibiu, Craiova, and Timișoara.
An important aspect to mention is that all airports included in this report were criticized for the high and very high prices in the shops and restaurants located within them.
The Vola.ro study was conducted at the end of September and the beginning of October 2021, on a sample of 238 respondents who traveled through Romanian airports and evaluated them based on cleanliness, appearance, signaling, staff friendliness, accessibility, and the quality and prices of facilities (shops, restaurants, parking).
Airport evaluations in individual categories were calculated based on the arithmetic mean of the values provided in the responses. The Vola.ro study does not have the character of a representative market survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the busiest airport in Romania?Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest remains the busiest, chosen by over 70% of passengers due to its wide variety of routes and airlines.
Which airports received the best scores for cleanliness?The airports in Bacău and Cluj-Napoca received the highest praise for cleanliness, with scores exceeding 9 out of 10.
What is the main complaint from passengers at Romanian airports?The most common complaint reported across all airports in the study is related to the high prices in the on-site shops and restaurants.