New airport terminal in Bucharest. Photo: Bucharest Airports / CNAB Romania has taken a major step toward transforming its busiest airport after the National Airports Company of Bucharest (CNAB) signed a contract to design a new terminal at Henri Coandă International Airport, marking the country's largest and most complex airport infrastructure project to date.
Photo: Bucharest Airports / CNABThe project will see the construction of a new passenger terminal covering approximately 176,000 square meters and designed to handle up to 30 million passengers annually by 2040. Passenger traffic during peak periods is expected to reach 6,500 travelers per hour.
The winning consortium is led by Leviatan Design and includes Ubitech Construction, alongside several subcontractors specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental consultancy, and technical design.
Photo: Bucharest Airports / CNABAccording to CNAB, the design phase is expected to take up to two years, while construction of the new terminal is scheduled to be completed within three and a half years.
Once completed, the facility will significantly expand the capabilities of Romania's main gateway and bring its infrastructure in line with major European airports.
Plans for the new terminal include:
-At least 48 aircraft parking stands.
-A minimum of 20 passenger boarding bridges.
-Modern baggage handling systems for arrivals and departures.
-Advanced security screening equipment.
-New passenger information and wayfinding systems.
-Protocol lounges and expanded retail and dining areas.
-Ambient lighting, enhanced acoustics, and energy-efficient climate control systems.
Photo: Bucharest Airports / CNABThe airport said the terminal will be designed to meet the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) "Optimum Level of Service" standards and will cater to both full-service and low-cost airlines. Dedicated boarding and disembarkation areas will be available for budget carriers.
The wider project also includes the construction of new taxiways and airport infrastructure, as well as significant improvements to ground transportation connections.
Henri Coandă Airport's future terminal will feature multimodal connectivity, integrating road and rail transport with new stations for public transportation, buses, and taxis. A network of roads and underground passages will also connect the existing terminal with the new facility.
Photo: Bucharest Airports / CNABThe contract for design and technical assistance services is valued at approximately €18.4 million and spans 10.5 years. It includes two years for design work, three and a half years of technical assistance during construction, and five years of support throughout the warranty period.
The development comes as passenger numbers continue to grow at Henri Coandă International Airport, reinforcing Bucharest's role as one of Eastern Europe's most important aviation hubs.