Inauguration of the new passenger terminal of Craiova International Airport

The Dolj County Council and Craiova International Airport will inaugurate the new passenger terminal on 18 December 2025, at 10:00 a.m., during a large-scale indoor event organized at the airport premises on Calea București no. 325A – the New Terminal.

The inauguration event is expected to last approximately three hours and will bring together around 500 guests, including central and local authorities, public figures, aviation specialists, institutional partners, and media representatives.

The inaugural program will include official speeches, live artistic performances, and special visual moments, designed to symbolically mark the opening of a strategic infrastructure for the region’s development.

“The inauguration of the new passenger terminal marks a historic moment for Craiova International Airport and for the entire Oltenia region. This project is the result of a long-term vision, sustained effort, and close collaboration between the county administration, the airport team, and our institutional partners. We view this investment as a starting point for the airport’s future development stages, which include expanding the destination network, increasing flight frequencies, continuously modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening Craiova International Airport’s role as the main air hub of south-western Romania.

We undertook a long-term project designed to meet traffic needs for the next 20–25 years. The completion of the new Craiova International Airport terminal represents a defining moment for the entire Oltenia region. Our goal was not only to build a modern facility, but to create a space adapted to the requirements of modern aviation, offering passengers a European, safe, and comfortable experience from the very first step inside the airport.” — Sorin Manda, General Director Craiova International Airport.

“We are inaugurating the new terminal of Craiova International Airport, a major objective that, from the very first idea to this moment, has benefited from our full involvement as the supervisory authority, the Dolj County Council. This airport is not just a modern terminal. It is the most important project of the county administration, the focal point around which all efforts and significant resources have been concentrated. It is the project that proves that when there is will, vision, perseverance, and political support, Oltenia can keep pace with the most dynamic regions in Europe.”— Cosmin Vasile, President – Dolj County Council.

A strategic project for regional mobility

The new passenger terminal of Craiova International Airport represents a major investment in air transport infrastructure, aimed at increasing operational capacity, improving the passenger experience, and aligning with European standards of safety, security, comfort, and efficiency.

The expansion and modernization of Craiova International Airport has been one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects carried out at regional level. The project was financed through the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme (POIM) 2014–2020, Priority Axis 2 – Sustainable multimodal transport, with a total value exceeding €100 million, a substantial portion of which comes from European funds, complemented by the state budget, the Dolj County Council, and the contribution of Craiova International Airport.

In short, the project includes:

• A new terminal of approximately 32,000 sqm, developed over multiple levels, featuring check-in areas and self check-in kiosks, security control, separate Schengen/non-Schengen flows, commercial and food court areas, as well as modern technical spaces.
• New aprons and taxiways, enabling the simultaneous operation of multiple aircraft and reducing ground waiting times.
• Expanded parking areas and access roads, designed to accommodate significantly higher passenger volumes, as well as taxi, ridesharing, and public transport flows.
• State-of-the-art security systems, a new perimeter fence, redesigned safety areas, and modern runway lighting.
• A photovoltaic park with 3,803 solar panels, each with an installed capacity of approximately 585 Wp, connected to 22 inverters of various capacities.

A terminal designed for people: how the passenger experience changes

The new terminal building means not only more space, but a completely different travel experience for passengers.

Key benefits include:

• Clear, intuitively marked flows – from entrance to boarding gate, passengers are guided through a logical sequence of steps, with generous waiting areas.
• More check-in counters and boarding gates, reducing queues and allowing the simultaneous operation of multiple flights, including during peak hours. A new feature is the introduction of self check-in kiosks.
• Commercial and service areas: cafés, duty-free shops, car rental services, and tourism offices – all designed to turn waiting time into a pleasant experience.
• Enhanced comfort for passengers with reduced mobility, through elevators and dedicated equipment, including upgraded ambulift solutions.

The new terminal – the beginning of a new story

Through this investment, Craiova International Airport strengthens its position as a key infrastructure for connecting the Oltenia region with Europe and other international destinations, directly contributing to the economic and social development of Dolj County.

When the first flights officially depart from the new terminal, the story of Craiova International Airport does not end—it marks the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter in which:

• Oltenia becomes closer to major European capitals and global hubs;
• Investors gain an additional, concrete reason to come and expand here;
• The local community gains time, opportunities, and the pride of having “at home” one of the most modern terminals in Romania.

“Craiova International Airport is developing steadily, with hard work and responsibility,” summarizes Sorin Manda. Behind these words lie years of design, negotiations, construction sites, sleepless nights, and difficult decisions. And the result is visible: a new, bright terminal, capable of taking Oltenia—quite literally—further.