Romanian aviation services provider Avant Airports has confirmed its plans to develop Alexeni Airport in Ialomița County, near Bucharest. The ambitious €400 million project aims to transform the site into Eastern Europe’s largest cargo hub within the next three years, according to Romania Insider.
Last year, Avant Airports signed a concession agreement with local authorities for the development and operation of the airport over a 48-month period. In March 2024, a consortium comprising Avant Airports as the project developer and Ukrainian construction company Avtomagistral-Pivden formalized the concession contract for the 198-hectare former military airfield in Alexeni, located 66 km east of Bucharest. The project envisions the construction of a state-of-the-art airport with a significant cargo capacity.
The airport is set to feature a 30,000-square-meter passenger terminal capable of handling 6.5 million passengers annually—almost half the volume of Bucharest’s main Henri Coandă Airport, which recorded 14.6 million passengers in 2023. Additionally, a 20,000-square-meter cargo terminal with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons will be developed to enhance logistics operations.
Avant Airports plans to unveil the conceptual design of the airport in April, outlining the architecture and functionality of the facility. On March 18, 2025, the company announced significant progress in collaboration with NACO, a global consultancy specializing in airport design. The Master Plan and pre-design documentation are nearing completion, while technical studies required for the next phase are currently underway.
The airport is being designed to accommodate all types of aircraft, including Boeing 747 cargo planes. It will feature dedicated infrastructure for both freight operations and low-cost carriers. A key focus of the project is accessibility, with plans to connect the airport to central Bucharest via railway, ensuring a transfer time of approximately 45–50 minutes from Gara de Nord. Furthermore, the project is expected to be integrated into Romania’s General Transport Master Plan.
Avant Airports is in advanced discussions with financial institutions and investors from the United States, Switzerland, Finland, and India to secure funding for the project. Additionally, a public consultation will be launched to gather input from potential users regarding terminal facilities and infrastructure requirements.
Source: adevarul.ro
