Central Romania: Brașov Airport asks European Commission approval for state aid

The Brașov airport, in central Romania, will submit documentation to the European Commission requesting approval for state aid, according to media reports.

The Brașov County Council is in the final stages of discussions with the Competition Council regarding the documentation that will be submitted to the European Commission, with the final deadline for the notification set for December 15. They are also waiting for an official announcement from NATO confirming the strategic role of the airport.

The airport has become a hub for military aircraft in recent months, giving it a strategic role, which the County Council will reportedly note in the address to the Commission. Local officials are also relying on the "good operational history" of the airport over the past year and a half.

"Our specialists, along with the airport’s, have been discussing – in a very practical and pragmatic way – the notification to be submitted by the end of the year to the European Commission. The discussion involved deadlines, investments, the number of flights, destinations, etc. We remain optimistic that Brașov Airport will be among the top five airports in the country by 2027, and I am convinced the European Commission will be satisfied,” said Brașov County Council President, Todorică Șerban, as reported by G4media.ro.

According to the local official, the Brașov-Ghimbav Airport has had 200,000 passengers in its first year and a half.

“We have every chance to grow in such a way that by 2027, we will have at least 700,000 passengers, meaning that by that time, the airport will be self-sustaining and will no longer need support from the County Council," he added.

Military landings and takeoffs at the airport – which have been happening since March – contribute to the total number of flights at the Brașov airport.

"It is certain, and it will happen very soon, that NATO and the military unit from Cincu [military base] will permanently establish themselves at this airport. Military planes are already landing and taking off from Ghimbav with soldiers and military equipment," noted the President of CJ Brașov.

The Brașov-Ghimbav Airport was opened in June 2023, making it the first new airport to open in the country in the last 50 years. The airport had trouble after its inauguration, and shortened operating hours caused the move of airline Dan Air to another regional airport. However, in January of this year, Romanian airline