Craiova International Airport

Craiova International Airport (IATA: CRA, ICAO: LRCV) is located in the south-western part of Romania, 7 km (4.3 mi) east[2] of Craiova municipality, one of Romania's largest cities. The airport area is the headquarters of Avioane Craiova (formerly known as IRAv Craiova), the company which built the Romanian IAR-93 and IAR-99 aircraft.

Craiova International Airport

Aeroportul Internaţional Craiova
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorConsiliul Judeţean Dolj
ServesCraiova, Romania
Opened1938 (1938)
Focus city forWizz Air
Elevation AMSL626 ft / 191 m
Coordinates44°19′05″N 023°53′19″E
Websitewww.aeroportcraiova.ro
Map
CRA is located in Romania
CRA
CRA
Location of airport in Romania
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 2,500 8,203 Asphalt
Statistics (2021)
Passengers[1]191,510 Increase 20.0%
Aircraft movements[1]5,260 Increase 39.9%
Source: Romanian AIP at EUROCONTROL,[2]
Statistics[3][4]

History

The airport was established in 1938 following a decree issued by King Carol II. Through the decree, the airport was meant to be used both as a public airport and a military one in case of war. The airport had a dirt runway with dimensions of 1000×200 m. Between 1950 and 1952, a 2,000 m (6,600 ft) concrete runway, as well as the first airport facilities were constructed. On 6 May 1957, Li-2 aircraft began flying on the Craiova - Bucharest route. The control tower was built in 1959, and between 1959 and 1972 the runway was extended to 2,500 m (8,200 ft). Between 1972 and 1989, other airport facilities were built.[5]

From 1995, the airport was opened to domestic and international traffic, serving only charter flights.[5] A new terminal was opened at Craiova airport in December 2010.[6] Runway renovation works took place in summer 2015. Since July 2014, Craiova Airport is the base for Wizz Air which serves 7 destinations in 4 countries. In March 2018, Ryanair announced it would terminate all services at Craiova by October 2018[7] which had operated since November 2016 and consisted of a single route to Valencia.

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Craiova Airport:[8]

AirlinesDestinations
Animawings Seasonal charter: Antalya[9]
Wizz Air[10] Barcelona, Beauvais, Bergamo, Birmingham, Bologna, Charleroi, Dortmund (begins 30 October 2023),[11] London–Luton, Madrid, Rome–Ciampino

Statistics

Annual passenger traffic at CRA airport. See Wikidata query.
Year Passengers Change Aircraft movements Change
2007 5,133
Steady
Steady
Steady
2008 12,988 153% Increase
Steady
Steady
2009 15,130 16.4% Increase
Steady
Steady
2010 23,629 56.1% Increase
Steady
Steady
2011 32,006 35.4% Increase
Steady
Steady
2012 29,626 7.4% Decrease 3,394
Steady
2013 40,291 35.9%Increase 2,246 33.9%Decrease
2014 138,886 244.7%Increase 3,506 56.1%Increase
2015 116,947 15.8%Decrease 2,999 14.5%Decrease
2016 222,320 90.1%Increase 4,018 33.9%Increase
2017 447,227 101.1%Increase 5,960 48.3%Increase
2018 493,056 10.2%Increase 6,793 14%Increase
2019 514,544 4.3%Increase 6,779 0.2%Decrease
2020[1] 159,552 68.9%Decrease 3,758 44.5%Decrease
2021[1] 191,510 20.0%Increase 5,260 39.6%Increase
Busiest Routes from Craiova International Airport (2019)
RankAirportPassengers
1United Kingdom London - Luton
142,678
2Italy Bergamo
84,970
3Italy Rome - Ciampino Airport
43,856
4Spain Madrid
40,183
5Italy Bologna
35,368

Military use

Retired MiG-21 and IAR-93 aircraft at the base in 1996

Between 1940 and 2004 the airport was used as a military air base. During the Cold War, the 67th Fighter Aviation Regiment was headquartered at Craiova. It was equipped with MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters, as well as IAR 93 ground attack aircraft. From 1991, the MiG-15s and 17s were replaced with MiG-21s. The 322nd Aviation Maintenance Centre also functioned at the base between 1970 and 2004.

Ground transportation

The airport is connected to the city via bus route 9 (Metro-Central Market-Craiovița Nouă) of the public transport company RAT Craiova. There is a station in front of the airport with all-day service time.[12]

See also

References

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