Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport expands its departure terminal
Credit: https://airlinergs.com/cluj-avram-iancu-international-airport-expands-its-departure-terminal/
Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport inaugurated a large-scale project at the beginning of June, 2024, specifically the expansion of the Passenger Departure Terminal on the North side. Funded through a mix of European funds, state budget funds, and its own resources, the project was implemented under the Large Infrastructure Operational Program 2014 – 2020. The total investment amounts to over 69.2 million euro. The investment objective was carried out by the consortium of BOG’ART S.R.L., UTI CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT S.A., and ACI CLUJ S.A.
Characteristics of the Expansion
The project added approximately 7,200 square meters to the Departure Terminal, creating the necessary flows to serve both Schengen and Non-Schengen destinations.
The new facilities include 3 new security lanes, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for security screening, as well as an expansion of the aircraft parking area by about 9,000 square meters.
With these improvements, the processing capacity of the terminals at Cluj International Airport significantly increases, reaching 4.5 million passengers annually.
Modern Infrastructure and Sustainability
One of the main achievements of this project is that Cluj International Airport is becoming the regional airport with the largest passenger waiting areas in Romania, covering a total area of approximately 12,000 square meters in both Schengen and Non-Schengen zones of this modern Departure Terminal.
The airport now features 7 Schengen boarding gates and 4 Non-Schengen boarding gates, allowing for a more efficient flow of passengers and significantly improving the travel experience.
In addition to increasing capacity and modernizing the infrastructure, the project also includes an important sustainability component.
In this regard, the project involved the installation of high-performance photovoltaic panels on the Departure Terminal’s roof and on the existing power plant’s roof.
Besides this system, which contributes to the airport’s energy efficiency and promotes the use of non-polluting energy sources, the choice of eco-friendly furniture for passengers underscores the airport’s strong commitment to environmental protection.
Commercial Facilities and Enhanced Comfort
In the new configuration, passengers have access to over 2,700 square meters of commercial space in both Schengen and Non-Schengen areas.
These facilities are designed to enhance comfort and improve travel conditions by offering a wide range of services and products for passengers.
The new expansion not only improves the airport’s operational capacity but also adds value to the passenger experience, providing a more pleasant and attractive environment while waiting for boarding.
Challenges and Collaboration
The completion of this project represented a significant challenge, as the expansion works was carried out during periods of high passenger traffic.
Notably, 2023 was the most prolific year in the history of Cluj International Airport, with over 3.24 million passengers recorded, a historical record for airport activity in Cluj-Napoca.
Nevertheless, through collective efforts and good coordination among the various institutions and companies involved, the project was successfully completed.
Cluj International Airport extends special thanks to the Border Police, the Romanian Intelligence Service – Anti-Terrorism Brigade, the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority (AACR), the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA R.A.), the airlines and handling companies, as well as the passengers who understood and accepted the temporary inconvenience in the interest of modernizing the airport infrastructure.