Arad International Airport – Romania

1. Arad International Airport is enjoying strong passenger growth (+779,4 % in June and +3,457.8% in May for example) – what are the main reasons for this success?

As well as over all,the economic crisis has hit Arad International Airport.From a traffic of 160.000 passengers in 2008,we have reached a minimum of just 2000 passengers in 2009.Low cost airlines such as Blueair and Ryanair have stoped the operations and other airlines have decided to postpone the opening of new routes.It was the moment we finalized the negociations with Wizzair and we started in force the 2010 summer season based on low cost passenger traffic.

2. What do you anticipate overall passenger traffic to bein 2013?And do you have a particular target for passenger number in the coming years?My belief is that number of passenger in 2013 will reach 100.000 ,based on the fact that the air traffic will be moved from Timisoara Airport to Arad Airport for at least twoo weeks this season because of runway repairs.It may be possible to open new routes from Arad operated by Wizzair.In any case we have not a specific target but I am convinced that Arad International Airport has potentially significant increase in passenger number and cargo freight.I forgot to tell you that we have a dedicated cargo tgerminal built in 2002 by EU assistance and we have reached 2000 metric tones of cargo per year.

3. What expansion plans do you have at the airport? I understand a new modernized passenger terminal and runway extension are planned – what can you tell me about the status of these projects?

Indeed,for the near future we have planned two major expansions: a new passenger terminal and runway extension.The actual passenger terminal was built in 1936 and can no longer provide comfort conditions and security flow requirements for passengers.The project is approved by Arad County and will be funded by credit provider.The new terminal will be equipped at the actual standards of quality and will esure a traffic increase to one million passenger per year. Regarding the airport runway,it need an extension at least 350 m because of the negative impact of Arad by pass on the 27 direction of operation.We removed the 27 threshold 180 m and the remaining landing distance is only 1820 m.This is the reason we have to extend the airport runway to can provide a proper safety landing distance for A320 and B 737 .

4. How much money is being invested in the terminal and runway developments,and what is the timetable for their completion? We will invest about 10 million euros for the two projects and I thinh that will be completed in the next three years.The new passenger terminal works will start next year.

5. Which airlines currently operate at Arad International Airport?And what destinations do they serve?

Currently at Arad operate regular pax. flight only Wizzair, two flight per week to Bergamo – Italy,but we manage a lot of general aviation flights especially in the summer season.In terms of cargo traffic we have daily flights Arad – Budapest operated by DHL.

6. What is your route development strategy?What are your most desired new routes? The Arad International Airport strategy is to attract new low cost airlines and to open domestic flights to Bucharest.The low cost flights are the best appropriated for the actual level of incomes of the population leaving in the airport catchment area.I am convinced that our airport has the potential to provides passengers at least for Italy,Spain,France,Germany,England,Ireland,Belgium,Neederland.

7. Do you offer an incentive scheme to attract new airlines or new air services to Arad?If so,can you please provide details os this?Yes of course,our incentive scheme is published on the airport’s website.All are depending of the number of movments.

8. What challenges does your proximity to Timisoara present?Does it impact on the type on the type of services you seek to attract? Of course that the proximity of Timisoara Airport is a challenge for us,but we are trying to convince the low cost airlines about our passengers traffic potential and they can make a profitable business at Arad.Our advantages represented by location,accessibility,very good infrastructure and lower airport charges will always be opportunities that we are not allowed to not capitalize.

9. Please can you provide details of the State Aid scheme operated by Arad County?

Although EU regulation on State Aid would allow a limited provision for opening new routes,Arad County has no practiced yet this mode of stimulation for the airlines,but it’s never too late.

10. How important was the opening of the new Arad bypass,linking Romania and Hungary,last year?In what ways is this beneficial to Arad International Airport?

The Arad bypass is very important by the excellent accessibility provided to airport.From another point of view,our catchment area will increase adding eastern part of Hungary.Between Arad and Budapest there is no other airport.

11. How optimistic are you for the future of Arad International Airport,and why? I personally am an optimist and I have no reasons not to believe in the future of Arad International Airport.The aviation market is growing ,Arad County is one of the most developed from Romania by economically point of view and the political and administrative leadership of Arad County is very interested on the airport development.

Grec Mircea – Chief Engineer of Arad International Airport