TAROM
Romania’s flag carrier and oldest continuously operating airline.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
TAROM, legally Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A., is Romania’s state-owned flag carrier. Its name is derived from Transporturile Aeriene Române, meaning Romanian Air Transport. The airline is headquartered in Otopeni, near Bucharest, and operates its principal hub at Henri Coandă International Airport. It serves Romanian domestic destinations and international routes primarily across Europe, with additional links to parts of the Middle East and North Africa, including scheduled, seasonal, charter and codeshare services. TAROM traces its institutional origins to 1920, when the French-Romanian Company for Air Navigation, or CFRNA, began operating passenger and mail services linking Romania with Central and Western Europe. During the interwar period, the national air-transport system passed through several reorganizations and names, including SNNA and LARES. After the Second World War, LARES was replaced by TARS, a Romanian-Soviet joint enterprise. Romania gradually acquired the Soviet stake, and on 18 September 1954 the airline adopted the TAROM name. For much of the communist period, TAROM operated Soviet-designed aircraft such as the Lisunov Li-2, Ilyushin Il-14 and Il-18, Antonov An-24, Ilyushin Il-62 and Tupolev Tu-154. It also obtained selected Western aircraft, including BAC One-Eleven aircraft and Boeing 707s, allowing it to connect Romania with a wider range of European, Middle Eastern and intercontinental destinations. TAROM launched its first transatlantic operation in 1966 and began regular service to New York in 1974. At its late-1970s peak, it had one of the largest fleets in the Eastern Bloc outside Aeroflot. Following the end of communist rule in 1989, TAROM modernized and progressively replaced its Soviet-era fleet with Western-built aircraft. Airbus A310 aircraft supported long-haul operations during the 1990s, while the airline also maintained services to destinations such as Montreal, Bangkok, Chicago, Beijing and New York. The transition was financially difficult. Loss-making routes and a complex fleet contributed to substantial annual losses, leading TAROM in the early 2000s to withdraw from most intercontinental flying and concentrate on European, regional and selected Middle Eastern routes. A fleet renewal programme beginning in the mid-2000s brought Airbus A318s, Boeing 737-800s and ATR turboprops. TAROM joined the SkyTeam alliance as a full member in 2010 and moved its frequent-flyer programme from Smart Miles to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue. The airline also operates technical-maintenance services for its own aircraft and external customers, particularly for Boeing 737 and ATR fleets. TAROM was affected severely by the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled operations were temporarily suspended from 25 March 2020, although the airline operated government-supported flights, including missions carrying medical supplies from China. Scheduled services resumed in May 2020. Subsequent restructuring efforts have focused on fleet simplification, route economics, cost control and renewal of the regional fleet. TAROM remains strategically important as Romania’s national carrier, but it has faced recurring profitability, debt and operational challenges. In 2024, the European General Court upheld European Commission approval of Romanian state aid intended to compensate the airline for pandemic-related losses.
History
TAROM’s history begins with the development of Romanian civil aviation after the First World War. In 1920, CFRNA, a French-Romanian air-navigation company, established services linking Bucharest with Paris through Central Europe. The enterprise used aircraft such as the Potez 15 to carry passengers and mail and gradually expanded its Romanian network. Galați became a scheduled destination in 1925, followed by Iași and Chișinău in 1926. The national air service was reorganized several times during the interwar period. CFRNA became SNNA in 1928 and LARES in 1930. In 1937, LARES merged with SARTA, another Romanian air-transport company. After the Second World War, the postwar political environment led to the creation of TARS, a Romanian-Soviet joint airline that assumed LARES’s aircraft and services in 1946. The Romanian state later bought the Soviet share, and the organization adopted the TAROM name in September 1954. During the communist era, TAROM formed part of the Eastern Bloc aviation system. It operated a large Soviet-built fleet, but it was not limited entirely to Soviet equipment. BAC One-Eleven aircraft were acquired for European and Middle Eastern services, while Boeing 707s complemented Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft on long-haul routes. TAROM expanded internationally during the 1960s and 1970s, operating its first transatlantic flight in 1966 and inaugurating regular New York service in 1974. Its network included destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, and it was notable for maintaining service to Israel during a period when relatively few Eastern Bloc airlines did so. The collapse of Romania’s communist regime opened access to Western aircraft and changed the airline’s commercial environment. TAROM acquired Airbus A310s in the early 1990s and used them, alongside older aircraft, on routes to North America and Asia. One of its A310s was destroyed in the Balotești crash on 31 March 1995. During the 1990s, the airline faced high losses and the difficulties of operating a broad, heterogeneous fleet. It ultimately retired its Boeing 707 and Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft, with the last Il-62 leaving the fleet in 1999. A major rationalization followed around the turn of the millennium. TAROM ended unprofitable intercontinental routes to Bangkok and Montreal in 2001, Chicago in 2002, and Beijing and New York in 2003. Several loss-making domestic routes were also discontinued. The carrier concentrated on Bucharest and other important Romanian cities, while rebuilding its European and regional network. The airline reported its first profitable year of the decade in 2004. Modernization accelerated after 2006 with the arrival of Airbus A318s, Boeing 737-800s and ATR 72-500 aircraft. TAROM’s two remaining A310s were refurbished in 2007 but were eventually retired in September and October 2016. Boeing 737-800 aircraft were leased from 2017 onward, while a new-generation ATR 72-600 leasing programme was agreed in 2019 to replace older regional turboprops. The planned regional fleet renewal was subsequently adjusted. TAROM joined SkyTeam in June 2010. From 2012, the company was managed under Romania’s state-enterprise reform framework by a private manager; Christian Heinzmann served as chief executive and accountable manager until 2016. His tenure was associated with lower reported losses and increased passenger numbers, although broader fleet and structural reforms were not fully implemented. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary shutdown of scheduled operations in March 2020. TAROM continued selected government flights and resumed regular services in May. In the following years, management publicly emphasized route profitability and restructuring. The airline also faced disputes over airport fees and continued pressure to improve its financial position. In 2024, the European General Court upheld approval of Romanian pandemic-related aid for TAROM after a challenge from Wizz Air. TAROM therefore continues to operate as a state-owned national carrier while pursuing operational and financial restructuring.
- 2020
COVID-19 operational suspension
[1]Scheduled operations were suspended during Romania’s emergency measures, with limited government missions continuing.
- 2016
Airbus A310 fleet retired
[1]TAROM completed the retirement of its remaining A310 aircraft.
- 2010
Full SkyTeam membership
[1]TAROM became a full member of SkyTeam.
- 2006
Fleet renewal programme starts
[1]The carrier began acquiring Airbus A318, Boeing 737-800 and ATR aircraft.
- 2001
Intercontinental rationalization begins
[1]Loss-making services to Bangkok and Montreal were cancelled as the airline focused on regional profitability.
- 1992
Airbus A310 introduced
[1]TAROM acquired three Airbus A310 aircraft during its post-communist fleet transition.
- 1974
Regular New York service launched
[1]The airline inaugurated scheduled flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- 1966
First transatlantic operation
[1]TAROM began transatlantic flying as part of its international expansion.
- 1954
TAROM name adopted
[1]After the Romanian government acquired the Soviet share in TARS, the airline adopted the TAROM name.
- 1925
First scheduled Romanian domestic destination
[1]Galați became the first Romanian destination served by the developing national air service.
Products and positioning
A state-backed national flag carrier emphasizing Romanian connectivity, regional access, and integration with the SkyTeam network.
Air transport · 1920
Scheduled passenger flights
TAROM’s core offering is scheduled passenger transportation from Romania to domestic and international destinations. Its network is centered on Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport and includes European and regional services operated with Boeing 737 and ATR aircraft, supplemented by partner connectivity.
Air transport
Charter and seasonal services
Alongside its regular timetable, TAROM operates or has operated charter and seasonal flights serving leisure, diplomatic, governmental and other demand patterns. These services complement the carrier’s scheduled network.
Aircraft maintenance
Technical maintenance services
TAROM’s Technical Division performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, inspections, painting, interior work and logistics support for its own fleet and selected external operators. Its documented capabilities include Boeing 737 and ATR aircraft maintenance.
Frequent-flyer programme · 2010
Flying Blue participation
TAROM’s former Smart Miles programme was replaced by Flying Blue in 2010, connecting the carrier’s loyalty proposition with the Air France-KLM-led programme and SkyTeam partner benefits.
Brand decisions
2020
Pandemic continuity and restructuringStrategyBackground
COVID-19 restrictions sharply reduced air travel and temporarily halted scheduled operations.
Action taken
TAROM suspended scheduled services, operated government-supported flights and later resumed selected scheduled operations while pursuing restructuring.
Aftermath
The airline continued to address route profitability, fleet renewal, airport-fee obligations and state-aid requirements.
2010
SkyTeam accessionOtherBackground
TAROM sought broader international connectivity and alliance benefits.
Action taken
It became a full member of SkyTeam on 25 June 2010.
Aftermath
Passengers gained access to alliance partner itineraries and loyalty benefits, while TAROM strengthened its international distribution.
2006
Modern fleet acquisition programmeStrategyBackground
TAROM needed to replace aging Soviet-era and early Western aircraft and improve operating efficiency.
Action taken
The carrier ordered or acquired Airbus A318s, Boeing 737-800s and ATR 72-500 regional aircraft.
Aftermath
The programme modernized the fleet and increased the number of aircraft in service by the end of the decade.
2001
Withdrawal from unprofitable intercontinental routesStrategyBackground
TAROM faced sustained losses and an economically difficult long-haul network.
Action taken
The airline cancelled services to Bangkok and Montreal and later withdrew from additional intercontinental destinations.
Aftermath
TAROM refocused on European, domestic and selected Middle Eastern services and reported a return to profitability in 2004.
Recent events
- 2024
Wizz Air challenge to TAROM pandemic state aid rejected[1]
Lawsuit · Regulation
The European General Court rejected Wizz Air’s challenge to European Commission approval of Romanian financial support for TAROM, finding the aid compatible with EU state-aid rules.
- 2022
Henri Coandă airport operator considered action over TAROM fees[1]
Lawsuit · Other
Reports said the operator of TAROM’s home airport was considering legal action over unpaid fees exceeding €10 million and might suspend services if the dispute was not resolved.
- 2020
TAROM temporarily suspends scheduled operations during COVID-19 emergency[1]
Other · Regulation
TAROM suspended scheduled services from 25 March 2020 during Romania’s emergency measures and operated government-supported flights, including medical-equipment missions from China, before resuming scheduled services in May.
- 2010
TAROM joins SkyTeam[1]
Other
TAROM became the thirteenth full member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, expanding its partner connectivity and frequent-flyer integration.
Sources3 sources
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