An official announcement of the transaction is expected after the completion of the relevant legal and administrative stages. Until then, specific information about the investor has not yet been disclosed.
However, the developer of the project, Avant Airports, has already announced the involvement of a strategic partner from Switzerland, which will provide both financing and industry expertise.
“Attracting a Swiss investor is an important milestone for the project, which will allow us to accelerate implementation and improve the operational efficiency of the future airport,” said an Avant Airports spokesperson.
The development concept envisages the creation of a modern airport infrastructure with a focus on cargo transportation and regional logistics integration, in parallel with passenger transportation facilities, reveals ziare.com.
The airport platform is designed as a multimodal transportation hub capable of linking air transportation with the region’s road and rail infrastructure. An important element of the project is the reconstruction of the existing railroad line that previously served the facility, which will provide a direct connection between the airport terminal and Bucharest’s Northern Railway Station.
Swiss capital strengthens ambitions
The airport is planned to be built in the Alexeni area, about 60 kilometers from Bucharest. The project envisages the creation of a passenger terminal and a large cargo complex targeting the Eastern European market.
The former Alexeni military airfield, built in 1954, was abandoned in 2001 and decommissioned in 2002. It was tried several times to be concessioned, but it was only in 2024 that a contract with Avant Airports could be concluded. Another partner in the concession consortium is the Ukrainian company Avtomagistral Pivden, a participant in various infrastructure projects in Romania, as well as engaged in the reconstruction of the runway of Satu Mare airport, specifies profit.ro. The Ukrainian company has won several tenders in Moldova for road reconstruction as well.
“We see Alexeni as a future logistics hub of regional importance, capable of handling growing cargo flows in the context of e-commerce development,” said a representative of Avant Airports. And said that negotiations are also underway with potential investors from the US, Finland and India.
The total investment is estimated at €400 million. The attraction of foreign capital was the first confirmed international participation in the project and could pave the way for further financing.
Comprehensive approach
According to current plans, construction work could start in 2026 after the completion of approval and permitting procedures. The facility is expected to be commissioned in phases over several years after the start of construction.
The project also includes the development of its own energy infrastructure based on a photovoltaic park with an estimated capacity of about 40 MW, designed to support the airport and related logistics infrastructure. The integration of renewable energy generation is part of the airport’s strategy to develop a sustainable airport platform in line with global trends in the aviation industry.
According to the project presented by the company, the passenger terminal will occupy about 16,000 square meters, while the cargo terminal will occupy up to 20,000 square meters. The estimated passenger traffic in the first 5 years is expected to be about 5 million passengers per year, cargo traffic – up to 50,000 tons of cargo per year.
According to market participants, the new airport can partially unload the existing infrastructure of Bucharest and create an alternative center for air cargo transportation in the region.
