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TimiÅŸoara "Traian Vuia" International (IATA: TSR, ICAO: LRTR) (also known as Giarmata Airport) is Romania's third airport in terms of air traffic, after Bucharest Henri Coandă and Bucharest Aurel Vlaicu Airport and the main air transportation hub for the western part of Romania. It is located in TimiÅŸoara, in the region of Banat, near the Hungarian and Serbian border. The airport was renamed on February 6, 2003 in memory of Traian Vuia, a Romanian flight pioneer and a TimiÅŸ County native. TimiÅŸoara Airport is important for business travellers, too, as a number of international businesses operate in TimiÅŸoara.

History

Timişoara's first airport (Timişoara Communal Airport) was built a few kilometers away from the current airport's position, in the town of Moşniţa Veche. The first airplane landed there on July 17, 1935. The airport was rebuilt on its current position in the 1960s. The domestic flights terminal was opened in 1964. In 1980 the airport received International Airport status.

Traffic

In 2008 the airport served 957,000^[1] passengers and is expected to reach the first million passengers in the following years. TSR is one of the four airports in Romania capable of handling jumbo jets, the main airport for the Danube-Kris-Mures-Tisza euroregion and it is a back-up airport for Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport, Belgrade Airport and Budapest Airport.

Passenger numbers

• 2000 - 223,133;
• 2001 - 251,404 (+ 12.7%);
• 2002 - 269,320 (+ 7.1%);
• 2003 - 331,495 (+ 23.1%);
• 2004 - 403,050 (+ 21.6%);
• 2005 - 611,705 (+ 51.8%);
• 2006 - 753,934 (+ 23.3%);
• 2007 - 836,518 (+ 24.5%);
• 2008 - 957,000 (+ 14.4%)

City access

Access to the airport is possible from the European road DN6(E70). The airport is located in the N-E part of TimiÅŸoara, at a 12 km distance from the city centre, near Ghiroda village. The RATT Express 4 (E4) connects the terminal to TimiÅŸoara city centre.

Taxis and car rental agencies are available, too.

Military uses

The Traian Vuia International Airport was home of the Romanian Air Force 93rd Air Base. The 93rd Air base was disbanded in August 2004 with the MiG-21 Lancers and IAR-330 moving to Câmpia Turzii for reassignment to 71st Air Base. The air base also operated the MiG-23 Flogger, which was retired in early 2002. Over 30 MiG-23s are still in storage at Timişoara Airport. The military section of the airport is currently an annex of the 71st Air Base and operates the 714th Transport Helicopter Squadron, with the IAR 330 in service.

Airlines and destinations

Domestic Flights Hall

International Departures Hall

Cargo airlines

See also

• Aviation in Romania
• Transport in Romania

References

External links

• Official airport website