PRESS RELEASE Cluj International Airport celebrates its 2 millionth passenger in 2026 for the 8th time in its history
Cluj-Napoca, July 22, 2026 – Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, together with Cluj County Council and TAROM airline, today marked the achievement of 2.000.000 registered passengers since the beginning of 2026 — an important milestone reached approximately one week earlier than the previous year, when this number was recorded in early August. This result reconfirms the strategic role of the airport in the air transport network in Romania and the region, while also reflecting the constant trust of passengers and partners.
This is the 8th time in the airport's history that this important milestone has been reached, thus becoming a tradition of operational excellence and continuous development. The anniversary event took place in the presence of representatives of local authorities, partner institutions and organizations, the media, as well as TAROM airline, the partner company of the anniversary event.
Passenger number 2.000.000 arrived in Cluj-Napoca on flight RO 643 operated by TAROM on the Bucharest – Cluj-Napoca route. The lucky passenger was selected and awarded during a festive moment organized upon the arrival of the aircraft, in the presence of representatives of local authorities, partner institutions and organizations, airport and airline representatives, and media representatives.
PThe resident of Cluj County Council, Mr. Alin Tişe, stated on this occasion: "The two million passengers marked today at Cluj Airport are the result of a clear strategy, sustained investments and decisions taken. Cluj County Council will continue to invest in the expansion and modernization of Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, because a strong airport means a more competitive economy, new investments and opportunities for the entire region. We do not only aim to keep up with development, but to anticipate it and build the infrastructure that Cluj will need in the coming decades. This performance achieved today by Cluj International Airport belongs first and foremost to the people of Cluj and to all those who choose to travel from Cluj International Airport, confirming both the growing desire for mobility of people and the trust placed in Romania's second airport."
Mr. Viorel Federiga, President of the Board of Directors of Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, stated: "This new performance confirms the airport's solid development strategy and the airport team's commitment to meeting the growing demands of passengers. We will continue to support modernization and expansion projects, so that Cluj International Airport remains an essential pillar of connectivity and economic development in the region. We thank everyone who contributes daily to this achievement."
Mr. David Ciceo, General Manager of Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, emphasized: "Exceeding the 2 million passenger threshold in 2026, for the eighth time in the history of Cluj International Airport, is a performance that reflects the professionalism and dedication of the entire airport team, the solid partnership with air operators and our collaborators, but, above all, the trust of the millions of passengers who choose Cluj International Airport for their travels. In 2026, Cluj International Airport operates a network of over 60 destinations, of which 13 destinations are new, thus covering approximately 25 countries in Europe and beyond. Further, a permanent concern of the airport management remains the expansion of the route network, as well as the creation of new opportunities and services for our passengers."
Mr. Bogdan Costaş, General Manager of TAROM, stated in turn: "There is a trusted partnership between TAROM and Cluj Airport, built around one of the company's oldest and most important domestic routes. The national airline has the longest history of connecting Transylvania with Wallachia, starting with the interwar period when LARES, the company on the structure of which TAROM was founded in 1954, operated connecting flights between Cluj, Chișinău, Cetatea Albă and Bucharest. Over 70 years since that moment, TAROM continues to ensure Cluj's connectivity with 25 weekly flight frequencies and up to 5-6 daily flights during peak periods.
On the occasion of reaching the 2 million passenger threshold at Cluj airport, by analyzing the domestic destinations in its top, TAROM also has a profile of its passengers traveling between Cluj and Bucharest. Thus, TAROM's customer segments that access air transport to Cluj tell us a lot about how the city and the community have developed in recent years. It is clear that there is a balance here between economic attractiveness (business people are in first place in the passenger profile), health services, where we observe the growth in the top of those who come to Cluj for medical purposes and cultural tourism.
Exceeding the 2 million passenger threshold in 2026 highlights the upward trend in air traffic and reaffirms the position of Cluj International Airport as a regional leader among airports in Romania. After a first semester of 2026 marked by new destinations and an increase compared to the same period of the previous year, July brought a new important milestone: on July 18, 2026, the airport processed 14.501 passengers, representing the highest daily traffic ever recorded in July.
In parallel, Cluj International Airport is carrying out strategic investment projects in infrastructure modernization and operational capacity expansion, with the aim of supporting the growth rate and responding to the demands of an increasingly complex air traffic. Through these steps, Cluj International Airport reinforces its commitment to remain a trusted partner for its partners, the local community and its passengers.
About the national airline TAROM – partner of the event
The Romanian National Airline Company – TAROM was established in 1954 and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Transport, being a member of the SkyTeam Alliance since June 25, 2010. The National Carrier of Romania owns a fleet of 14 aircraft and has in its portfolio a number of over 50 destinations operated with its own aircraft or served by its codeshare partners. Since 1993, TAROM has been a member company of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
From Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, TAROM operates daily flights to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and in the summer season it operates charter flights to Greece (Lesbos), Turkey (Antalya) and for the first time, flights to Tirana, the capital of Albania.
More details about the products and services offered by TAROM can be obtained by accessing the website www.TAROM.ro or by calling the Call Center Service free of charge at the telephone number 004 021 99 78..
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