Airport type Public Website aerotim.ro Elevation 106 m Passenger count 1,161,482 | Focus city for RyanairWizz Air Code TSR Phone +40 256 386 089 Yearly aircraft movements 14,222 | |
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Operator Romanian Civil Aviation Authority Similar Autonom Timisoara, Europcar, CityCar, Avis Rent a Car Timisoara, Stația Meteo Timișoara | ||
Timișoara "Traian Vuia" International (IATA: TSR, ICAO: LRTR) is an international airport serving Timișoara, Romania. Located in the historical region of Banat, the airport is named in honour of Traian Vuia, a Romanian flight pioneer and a Timiș County native. It is the third busiest Romanian airport in terms of air traffic, and the main air transportation hub for the western part of Romania and for the Danube–Criș–Mureș–Tisa Euroregion. The airport serves as an operating base for Wizz Air and Ryanair.
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History
Timișoara's first airport, Timișoara Communal Airport, was built a few kilometers away from the current airport's position, in the village of Moșnița Veche. The first aircraft landed there on 17 July 1935. The airport was rebuilt in its current location in the 1960s and became known as Giarmata Airport. The domestic terminal was opened in 1964.
In the 1980s it was designated as an international airport and was upgraded with a CAT IIIa instrument landing system. The runway was extended from 2500 to 3500 m and terminal buildings for international flights, control tower, the official hall and the administrative building were constructed. The airport was named after aeronautics pioneer Traian Vuia in 2003. The following year work to expand the international terminal commenced; and in 2006 the aircraft parking facilities were enlarged. These measures were taken to cater to increasing air traffic and the construction of a new parking lot and an access road in the airport. The extension works for the international terminal were completed in 2007. In 2010 work to expand the domestic terminal was completed.
Military use
Giarmata Airport was home to the Romanian Air Force RoAF 93rd Air Base, founded in 1953. 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 in storage at Timișoara Airport. Nowadays, the military section of the airport is an annex of the 71st Air Base.
Facilities
Visitors have access to numerous car rental agencies (Avis, Bavaria, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt), exchange offices and ATM machines. There are two "snack-bars", located in the public area, that serve: croissants, sandwiches and beverages. Two "duty free" shops and two self-service bars are after security check area. The airport offers a smoking lounge and VIP lounge. Free Internet is provided in all areas of the airport.
Statistics
The airport's traffic rose significantly in the past ten years. Although, it experienced e dramatic decrease after the departure of Carpatair, authorities of the airport announced that the negative trend should come to an end by 2015. In 2016 the airport received 1,161,482 passengers and it is expected that the traffic numbers should reach 1,5 million passengers in 2017.
Bus
The airport is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) to the north-east of Timișoara. The RATT Express 4 line (E4) connects the terminal to Timișoara city centre. Also, the line E4-barat connects the airport directly with Timișoara Nord railway station, the main station of the city. As of January 2017, fare is 2 RON (€0.45) for a single trip ticket and the ride is about 25 minutes long.
Car/Taxi
Access to the airport is possible from the road DN6 (E70), through a junction near the village of Ghiroda. Various taxi companies offer rides to and from the airport. The charges vary around 2,2 – 2,3 RON/km.