Foundation and early years

The first flights in the Băneasa area took place in 1909 and they were carried out by the French pilot and aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, who flew on 18 October at the Băneasa Hippodrome [ro].^[4] In 1912, one of first flight schools in Romania was opened on the Băneasa airfield by George Valentin Bibescu. This makes Băneasa airport the oldest continuously operating airport in Eastern Europe, and among the five oldest airports in the world.^[5]

In 1922, the airport headquartered the first aviation company in Romania, and one of the earliest in the world, CFRNA (The French–Romanian Company for Air Navigation), the precursor of the Romanian national airline, TAROM.^[6] In 1923, CFRNA built the industrial facilities for aircraft maintenance in Băneasa. These facilities preceded the aerospace company Romaero.^[7]

The current terminal building was designed in the late 1940s and opened in 1952. At that time it was considered one of the finest architectural features of Bucharest. The building consists of a central dome with three distinct wings which represents an airplane propeller with three blades.^[7]

During the communist period (1947–1989), Băneasa Airport was TAROM's domestic hub, while Otopeni Airport was used as an international hub. In the early 2000s (decade), TAROM moved all of its activities to Otopeni (renamed Henri Coandă International Airport).

The 2007 low cost "invasion"

The first low cost airline established at BBU was Blue Air in 2004. From January 2007, the low-fare airlines Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Germanwings started European routes from Băneasa. In 2007, the airport was closed from 10 May to 19 August for renovation works. All flights during this period were moved to Henri Coandă International Airport. Renovations included commercial areas, restaurants, a VIP lounge and a 300-space car park. The runway and lighting systems were also completely overhauled. The estimated cost was €20m.^[8]

Conversion into a business airport and reopening

In March 2012, Băneasa was dedicated to business air traffic. The last passenger air traffic was transferred to Henri Coandă International Airport.^[9]

In 2017 and 2018, public talks organized by the managing company took place, suggesting that the airport may be re-opened for regular flights, following renovation works, that may be completed in two years from start.^[10][11] In June 2019, it was announced that the airport will reopen for commercial flights in early 2020.^[12] On 1 August 2022, the airport was re-opened after 10 years of renovation work and 110 years since it was founded.^[13] The first scheduled flight was operated on 20 April 2023, to Antalya.^[14][15] Interest for operating on the new airport has already been shown by flight operators from Ireland (Ryanair) and Moldova (FlyOne),^[16] but also from domestic carriers, such as AirConnect.^[17][18]

Road

The airport is situated 8 km (5 miles) north of Bucharest city centre and is accessible by STB buses, trams^[26] and Airport Express. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also present and accessible.

Metro

An extension of the Bucharest Metro system to Aurel Vlaicu International, as Metro Line M6, which will link it to the Main Train Station and the larger Henri Coandă International Airport, was approved in June 2006 and is currently in its planning stage.^[27]