Exclusive: Romania’s TAROM CEO talks about redefining Skyteam alliance benefits

Present at the recently hosted Aviation-Event conference in Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania, TAROM CEO Bogdan Costas spoke in an exclusive interview with TravelMole about the future of the Romanian national carrier and its relation with Skyteam, the alliance it belongs to. 

Asked about the low visibility provided by Skyteam to TAROM, Costan was candid about the airline’s current position within the alliance. Membership brings definitely value, but not necessarily a much-expected visibility.

With a fleet of just 14 aircraft, TAROM remains indeed a small player compared to giants like Air France or KLM, and that size disparity directly impacts its exposure. “Of course, we are proud to be part of SkyTeam and we have codeshare agreements with key members. But realistically, smaller airlines like us have less influence and visibility compared to larger carriers,” said Costan.

Redefining relations with Skyteam

TAROM CEO also questions the tangible benefits of SkyTeam membership. Internal assessments for 2024–2025 suggest underwhelming results, prompting the airline to seek improved cooperation and relation within the alliance. He compares the situation to global organizations where dominant members—such as Delta Air Lines or Korean Air—naturally command most of the attention, leaving smaller players in the background.

Despite this, Costas sees opportunity rather than limitation. His strategic vision centers on transforming Bucharest into a regional hub connecting the Balkans with major European gateways such as Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid. ” We are also considering closer cooperation with regional airlines such as Air Serbia and other carriers in the region,” told TAROM CEO.

For now, growth is on hold. TAROM operates 27 destinations but is constrained by an ongoing restructuring program following EU rules that freezes expansion until early 2027. “The immediate priority is financial clarity: more than half of the airline’s routes are not generating sufficient returns beyond basic operating costs,” indicated Costan.

Even flagship routes—such as services to Paris—fail to deliver full profitability for TAROM, highlighting the complex cost structures that differ significantly between airlines.

During the restructuring phase, TAROM’s strategy is tightly focused: strengthening domestic routes across Romania, consolidating its Balkan network, and feeding traffic into larger European hubs. Fleet optimization is central to this plan, particularly through the use of ATR turboprops on short-haul services.

Waiting to exit restructuring in 2027

In the meantime, fleet renewal is already underway. The airline is introducing new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with ambitions to expand beyond its current footprint once restructuring is complete. Longer-term, this could open the door to routes in Northern Africa and West Asia, supported by a gradual fleet increase.

Domestically, profitability remains elusive despite limited rail competition. Costas points instead to competitive pressure from other airlines and signals a shift toward cooperation, including code-share agreements and coordinated scheduling. Innovative concepts such as regional “triangle routes” linking cities like Iași, Cluj and Timișoara are also under consideration, though they depend on local government support.

Last but not least, airports’ infrastructure remains also a key constraint. While traffic through Bucharest is growing, airport development is lagging behind demand. Plans for a new terminal exist but are unlikely to materialize before 2030–2035, meaning TAROM’s hub ambitions will need to adjust to airport’s development.

For Costas, the path forward is clear: stabilize the business, restore profitability, and carve out a stronger regional role. The ambition to elevate TAROM within SkyTeam—and within Eastern Europe—is firmly in place. Now, both players need to assess the strategic benefits that they can mutually bring.

(Interview conducted on March 20, 2026)