Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU) Reopens after 9 Years

Bucharest Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (Baneasa) reopens after nine years of modernization in honour of the 110th anniversary of its founding.

The director of Bucharest Airports Company, George Dorobantu, says three companies are already ready to launch scheduled and charter flights on Baneasa following the airport’s recent initiative to modernize the structures and equipment.

We already have three advanced discussions in the stage of signing contracts to operate from Băneasa. It is about Ryanair, which is looking for solutions to increase its aircraft base in Romania, they will operate two flights from the autumn or winter season, Air Connect, which announced its intention to operate from Băneasa as well, currently, they are authorized for Otopeni, but they will also operate in Baneasa, for short-haul ATR aircraft flights. Another company registered in the Republic of Moldova, Fly One for charter flights, Baneasa-Chisinau.

George Dorobantu, the director of Bucharest Airports Company

According to Visit Bucharest, the time will be less than an hour at Baneasa, as opposed to Otopeni Airport, where passengers must arrive at least two hours before boarding.

On August 1st, 1912, the Romanian Air League built a pilot training facility in Baneasa under the leadership of Prince George Valentin Bibescu. The airport in Băneasa, Romania, is currently thought to be the third-oldest airport in the world that is still in operation.

Bucharest City Airport or Baneasa Airport was Bucharest’s only airport until 1969 when the Otopeni Airport (now Henri Coandă International Airport) was made available to the general public. Aurel Vlaicu, a Romanian engineer, inventor, aircraft builder, and early pilot, is honoured by having his name given to the airport. Aurel Vlaicu International was Bucharest’s low-cost airline hub and the second busiest airport in Romania until it was transformed into a business airport in March 2012.

Photo source: Bucharest Airports