TAROM. Photo: Cristi Croitoru / Shutterstock An important new chapter began on September 3 for TAROM as the Romanian national airline officially took over its first Boeing 737 MAX in Seattle, with two flight crews flying the aircraft home to Romania.
The Boeing 737-8 is the first 737 MAX to join TAROM's fleet and will carry the name "Mircea Lucescu," after the renowned Romanian football manager who passed away in April. The aircraft will make the journey from Seattle to Bucharest with a stop in Keflavík, Iceland, before entering service with the airline.
Boeing 737 MAX. Photo: Lukas Wunderlich / Shutterstock.comBefore the handover, TAROM technical specialists carried out thorough inspections and reviewed the aircraft's technical documentation. After the takeover, the aircraft was scheduled to operate the Seattle-Keflavík-Bucharest ferry flight, with its arrival in Romania expected in the coming days.
TAROM General Manager Cristian Anghel described the delivery as more than simply the arrival of a new aircraft, highlighting the experience of the crews responsible for bringing it to Romania.
The choice of the name Mircea Lucescu also gives the aircraft a symbolic connection to Romania. TAROM said the name reflects values such as performance, discipline, perseverance and confidence, which the airline sees as important as it enters a new stage of its development.
For TAROM, the delivery represents the result of years of preparation and a significant investment in the airline's future.
The aircraft's journey to Romania marks the arrival of a new generation of aircraft at Romania's national carrier and the beginning of a new chapter for TAROM, supported by experienced pilots, cabin crew and technical specialists.
The 1954-established airline joined the SkyTeam Alliance on June 25, 2010. The national carrier operates a fleet of 14 aircraft to over 50 destinations, using its own aircraft or codeshare partners. Since 1993, TAROM has been a member company of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).