Bucharest Otopeni / Coanda – Oct 2013

 

LANDSIDE

From the airport views appeared to be non existent although I didn’t explore too much.

 

The threshold of runway 08R is about a 10 minute walk away. Head straight ahead from the arrivals terminal area on the main road and follow around to the left. There is a conveniently located petrol station with a café that has a couple of tables outside. If you continue along the road you can see back across onto the terminal and military ramps. All aircraft landed on 08R while I was there. During busier times departures seemed to use 08L but some used 08R.

 

AIRSIDE

Plenty of windows and nothing should be missed.

 

HOTELS

Angelo Hotel – Located across the road from the petrol station mentioned above. It was $110 per night including breakfast and airport transfer. If you tell them your flight number they will have someone collect you.

 

Rooms on the 4th or 5th floors with an even number will have views of the approach to 08R. The earlier the number the better. Planes will only appear late from behind part of the hotel building. Because of this its easy to miss them as you can’t tell when anything is coming and have to constantly stare out the window. Much easier to go and sit at the café over the road. The windows at the end of the corridor have a distant view of the military ramp and threshold.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Not particularly busy but you should pick up most if not all of Taroms ATR’s. Check timetables as some times are busier than others.

 

Wizz have 6 A320’s based all of which leave early but gradually return between midmorning and early afternoon.

 

Blue Air have a couple of B737’s based.

 

4 B1-11’s remain WFU. AP-BFC and 5N-SEO parked near the commuter ramp. YR-BRE and BRI parked on the military ramp where you can expect to see 4 or 5 military aircraft. Not the easiest to read though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bucharest Baneasa – Oct 2013

 

LANDSIDE

To get here take bus 783 from the main airport. It goes straight past Baneasa on its way into the city. Just get off when you see the airport. Your best chance of logging anything here is to walk back up this road which has views over the ramp. Unfortunately its difficult to see anything parked at Romaero but you can see the tail of B737 5N-BEI and B727 5N-BEG. Also along this road is B707 N707LG and an ex Alaskan MD80 WFU.

 

Your only chance of getting close to the Romaero stuff is to go when they allow there hangers to be used for a convention. There is an annual motor show held in October and its possible to get onto there ramp and see several of the aircraft here. You still can’t see all of them though.

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

 

Not used any longer for passenger flights. There may be the odd biz or general aviation here along with the Romaero stuff.