TAROM
{{Short description|Flag carrier of Romania}}
{{Redirect|Tarom}}
{{Distinguish|Taron Avia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = TAROM — Romanian Air Transport
TAROM — Transporturile Aeriene Române
| logo = TAROM Logo (blue).svg
| IATA = RO
| ICAO = ROT
| callsign = TAROM
| image = YR-BGK Boeing 737-82R Tarom LHR 17.1.22.jpg
| founded = {{start date and age|1920|01|01|df=yes|br=y}}
(as CFRNA)
| commenced = {{start date and age|1954|09|18|df=yes|br=y}}
(as TAROM){{Sfnp|Balotescu et al.|1984|p=440}}
| headquarters = Otopeni, Ilfov County, Romania
| key_people = Costin Iordache (acting CEO)[https://observatornews.ro/eveniment/cine-este-costin-iordache-noul-director-tarom-ce-companii-a-condus-in-trecut-505388.html Who is Costin Iordachem, the new CEO of TAROM], observator, 04 January 2023. Retrieved on 4 May 2023.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-09 |title=Directorul general al Tarom, George Barbu, și-a dat demisia |trans-title=The CEO of Tarom, George Barbu, has resigned |url=https://www.economica.net/directorul-general-al-tarom-george-barbu-i-a-dat-demisia_185642.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609183209/https://www.economica.net/directorul-general-al-tarom-george-barbu-i-a-dat-demisia_185642.html |archive-date=2020-06-09 |access-date=2020-06-09 |website=ECONOMICA.net |language=ro |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-09 |title=Directorul TAROM a demisionat. George Barbu ocupa funcția din octombrie 2019 |trans-title=The CEO of Tarom has resigned. George Barbu had been occupying the function since October 2019 |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/economie/transporturi/directorul-tarom-a-demisionat-george-barbu-ocupa-functia-din-octombrie-2019-1320572 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200609182451/https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/economie/transporturi/directorul-tarom-a-demisionat-george-barbu-ocupa-functia-din-octombrie-2019-1320572 |archive-date=2020-06-09 |access-date=2020-06-09 |website=Digi24 |language=ro |df=dmy-all}}
| hubs = Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport[https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/RO ch-aviation.com - Tarom] retrieved 5 April 2022
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = Flying Blue
| alliance = SkyTeam
| fleet_size = 14
| destinations = 28{{cite web | url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/RO | title=TAROM on ch-aviation | website=ch-aviation.com | publisher= | access-date=21 November 2023}}
| revenue = {{increase}} 315 million € (2019)
| operating_income = {{decrease}} -35.8 million € (2019) (estimated)
| website = {{URL|www.tarom.ro/en}}
| parent =
| num_employees =
| caption =
}}
TAROM ({{IPA|ro|taˈrom}}; legally Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A.) is the flag carrier and oldest currently operating airline of Romania, based in Otopeni near Bucharest. Its headquarters and its main hub are at Henri Coandă International Airport. It is currently the first and largest airline operating in Romania based on international destinations, international flights and the second-largest measured by fleet size and passengers carried.
The brand name is an acronym of the {{langx|ro|Transporturile Aeriene Române}} (Romanian Air Transport). Over ninety-seven percent (97.22%) of TAROM is owned by the Romanian Government (Ministry of Transport). The airline transported almost 2.75 million passengers in 2018, with an average load factor of 74%. The airline joined SkyTeam on 25 June 2010.
History
File:StampRomania1928Michel336.jpg on an airmail stamp.]]
File:BAC 1-11 424 YR-BCF Tarom LAP 21.08.71 edited-2.jpg at London Heathrow Airport in 1971.]]
File:Tupolev Tu-154B YR-TPC Tarom Vienna 07.05.77.jpg at Vienna Airport in 1977.]]
File:Airbus A310-325, Tarom - Romanian Air Transport JP6328663.jpg in 2008.]]
File:TAROM, YR-ATC, ATR 42-500 (22441783343).jpg wearing the SkyTeam special livery.]]
=The beginnings=
The history of the Romanian National Air Transport Company can be traced back to 1920, when CFRNA - (French-Romanian Company for Air Navigation) was founded.{{Cite web |title=History - tarom.ro |url=https://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/tarom-company/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421012925/http://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/tarom-company/history/ |archive-date=21 April 2017 |access-date=25 May 2017 |website=www.tarom.ro}}{{Cite web |title=TAROM supports the training of future specialists in aviation |url=https://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/news-and-media/press-releases/details.html?news=414 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624074245/https://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/news-and-media/press-releases/details.html?news=414 |archive-date=24 June 2016 |access-date=25 May 2017 |website=www.tarom.ro}} On 13 April 1920, the company registered its headquarters at 194 Rue Rivoli, in Paris. A decree issued on 26 April 1920 establishes Direcțiunea Aviației (The Directorate of Aviation), in the subordination of the Ministry of Communications. In the same year, the Kingdom of Romania offered CFRNA exploitation rights. The country offered the airline two aerodromes: one in Arad, and another one in Bucharest–Băneasa.{{Cite web |last=Iliescu |first=Silvia |date=2018-07-13 |title=Stârnind văzduhul… – "La Franco-Roumaine, mama-mare a lui Air France" |trans-title=Fostering the sky… – "La Franco-Roumaine, the big mother of Air France" |url=http://www.rador.ro/2018/07/13/starnind-vazduhul-la-franco-roumaine-mama-mare-a-lui-air-france/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809103105/http://www.rador.ro/2018/07/13/starnind-vazduhul-la-franco-roumaine-mama-mare-a-lui-air-france/ |archive-date=2018-08-09 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=RADOR |language=ro}} The airline used French-built Potez 15 aircraft for its passenger/mail service between Paris and Bucharest via several cities in Central Europe. In 1925, the city of Galați became the first destination in Romania served by regular flights followed, from 24 June 1926, by an extended service to Iași and Chișinău. Ten de Havilland DH.9 and five Ansaldo A.300, in addition to the Potez aircraft, operated the service.
In 1928 the airline changed its name to SNNA (Serviciul Național de Navigație Aeriană, The National Service of Air Navigation). On 9 July 1930, the company adopted the name {{ill|LARES Airlines|lt=LARES|ro|LARES}}{{Cite web |last=Iliescu |first=Silvia |date=2015-07-09 |title=L.A.R.E.S., "Patru avioane, patru linii, patru piloți…" |trans-title=L.A.R.E.S., "Four planes, four lines, four pilots…" |url=http://www.rador.ro/2015/07/09/l-a-r-e-s-patru-avioane-patru-linii-patru-piloti/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001110811/http://www.rador.ro/2015/07/09/l-a-r-e-s-patru-avioane-patru-linii-patru-piloti/ |archive-date=2015-10-01 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=RADOR |language=ro}}{{Sfnp|Balotescu et al.|1984|p=240}} (Liniile Aeriene Române Exploatate de Stat, Romanian Airlines Operated by the State) while 20 July 1937 saw the merger of LARES with its competitor, {{ill|SARTA Airlines|lt=SARTA|ro|SARTA}} (Societatea Anonimă Română de Transporturi Aeriene).{{Cite web |last=Mulder |first=Rob |date=2010-06-17 |title=Airline companies in Rumania (1918-1945) |url=https://www.europeanairlines.no/airline-companies-in-rumania-1918-1945/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415061241/http://www.europeanairlines.no/airline-companies-in-rumania-1918-1945/ |archive-date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Europeanairlines.no}}{{Sfnp|Balotescu et al.|1984|p=243}}
=Post-World War II=
Immediately after World War II, in 1945, when the Soviet Union had extended its influence across Eastern Europe, a new reorganization replaced LARES with TARS (Transporturi Aeriene Româno-Sovietice),{{Sfnp|Balotescu et al.|1984|p=439}} jointly owned by the governments of Romania and the Soviet Union. Domestic operations were started from Bucharest (Băneasa Airport) on 1 February 1946, when TARS took overall air services and aircraft from LARES.
Over the following decade, the company's Soviet share was purchased by the Romanian government and, on 18 September 1954, the airline adopted the name of TAROM (Transporturi Aeriene Române, Romanian Air Transport).{{Sfnp|Balotescu et al.|1984|p=440}} By 1960, TAROM was flying to a dozen cities across Europe. 1966 saw the operation of its first transatlantic flight. On 14 May 1974, it launched a regular service to New York City (John F. Kennedy International Airport).
Being part of the regional group of airlines within Eastern Bloc states meant that for much of its history TAROM has operated Soviet-designed aircraft. These included Lisunov Li-2s, Ilyushin Il-14s, Ilyushin Il-18 long-range turboprops, Ilyushin Il-62 long-range jet airliners, Antonov An-24 regional turboprops, and Tupolev Tu-154 medium-range tri-jets. As was the case with several other nations, the Il-62 was the first long-range jet airliner to be put into operation by Romania, in 1973. Five examples (three Il-62s and two later version Il-62Ms) were owned by TAROM, which also leased the aircraft to other operators.
Exceptions to Soviet-built aircraft were made in 1968, when TAROM bought six BAC One-Eleven 400s{{Cite web |date=October 1968 |title=Communist International Civil Air Activities in the Free World Since 1965 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T00875R001600010078-5.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124001802/https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T00875R001600010078-5.pdf |archive-date=2017-01-24 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=CIA |page=14}} for European and Middle Eastern destinations, and in 1974 when it acquired Boeing 707 aircraft to share its long-haul operations with the Il-62. Plans were made to acquire Vickers VC10 aircraft as well, but in the end, the Soviets did not allow it, and made them buy the Il-62 instead.{{Cite book |last1=Henderson |first1=Scott |title=Silent Swift Superb: The Story of the Vickers VC10 |last2=Walker |first2=Timothy |date=1998 |publisher=SCOVAL Publishing Ltd. |isbn=9781902236025 |location=Newcastle upon Tyne}} With 59 aircraft in operation, in the late 1970s, TAROM had the largest fleet in the Eastern Bloc, after Aeroflot.{{Cite web |last=Stroud |first=Michael |date=1978-04-22 |title=1978 Flight World Airline Directory |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200623.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630131019/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200623.html |archive-date=2016-06-30 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Flight International |format=PDF |issn=0015-3710}}
In 1978, a contract was signed with the UK enabling Rombac to manufacture the BAC One Eleven at Romaero, near Bucharest. Meanwhile, the 707 and Il-62 long-range aircraft were operating to New York (via Amsterdam, later London and finally Vienna), Abu Dhabi-Bangkok-Singapore, and Karachi-Beijing. TAROM was the only Eastern Bloc airline to operate flights to Tel Aviv, Israel.
=The 1990s=
After the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, the airline, operating a fleet of 65 aircraft of six basic types, was able to acquire more Western-built jets.{{Cite web |date=July 1990 |title=Airbus beats Boeing in Tarom update |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%201875.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630111310/https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%201875.PDF |archive-date=2016-06-30 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Flight International |issn=0015-3710}} In 1992, TAROM bought 3 Airbus A310 planes, nicknamed: "Transilvania" (YR-LCA),{{Cite web |last=Străuț |first=Dan |date=2016-10-30 |title=TAROM a renunțat la ultimul avion Airbus A310 din lotul cumpărat în 1992 |trans-title=TAROM has given up on its last Airbus A310 plane from the lot bought in 1992 |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/economic/tarom-a-renuntat-la-ultimul-avion-airbus-a310-din-lotul-cumparat-in-1992-15883394 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031150604/https://www.mediafax.ro/economic/tarom-a-renuntat-la-ultimul-avion-airbus-a310-din-lotul-cumparat-in-1992-15883394 |archive-date=2016-10-31 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Mediafax |language=ro}} "Moldova" (YR-LCB){{Cite web |last=Etveș |first=Ștefan |date=2016-09-20 |title=Ultima aeronavă cu care s-a plimbat Băsescu ruginește pe platforma aeroportului Henri Coandă |trans-title=The last aircraft with which Băsescu went on trips is rusting on the Henri Coandă airport's platform |url=https://www.capital.ro/ultima-aeronava-cu-care-s-a-plimbat-basescu-rugineste-pe-platforma-aeroportului-henri-coanda.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920124331/https://www.capital.ro/ultima-aeronava-cu-care-s-a-plimbat-basescu-rugineste-pe-platforma-aeroportului-henri-coanda.html |archive-date=2016-09-20 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Capital |language=ro}} and "Muntenia" (YR-LCC).{{Cite web |last=Gavrilă |first=Alina |date=2008-03-31 |title=Drama echipajului, la puterea a treia |trans-title=The crew's drama, to the third power |url=https://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/drama-echipajului-la-puterea-a-treia-121069.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526031204/https://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/drama-echipajului-la-puterea-a-treia-121069.html |archive-date=2015-05-26 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Jurnalul Național |language=ro}} By 1993, TAROM had introduced long-haul flights to Montreal and Bangkok using Ilyushin Il-62 and Airbus A310 aircraft. The YR-LCC Airbus A310 joined TAROM's fleet on 10 April 1994,{{Cite web |last=Bobon |first=Gabriel |date=2016-09-12 |title=Adio YR-LCB! Al doilea Airbus A310 din flota TAROM a fost "pensionat" astăzi |trans-title=Goodbye YR-LCB! The second Airbus A310 from the TAROM fleet has been "retired" today |url=https://boardingpass.ro/adio-yr-lcb-al-doilea-airbus-a310-din-flota-tarom-a-fost-pensionat-astazi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507003517/https://boardingpass.ro/adio-yr-lcb-al-doilea-airbus-a310-din-flota-tarom-a-fost-pensionat-astazi/ |archive-date=2018-05-07 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=BoardingPass.ro}} to then crash near Balotești on 31 March 1995.
During the 1990s, TAROM replaced its long-haul fleet of Boeing 707s and IL-62s with Airbus A310s (the last Il-62 being sold in 1999).
=2000s and 2010s=
TAROM is recovering from a difficult period that began in the 1990s when losses of up to $68 million per year were registered, caused by unprofitable routes. At the beginning of the new millennium, the airline initiated a programme that was aimed at restoring profitability. This was achieved by terminating loss-making intercontinental services. In 2001, the airline cancelled its non-profitable long-haul services to Bangkok and Montreal and also terminated services to its remaining intercontinental destinations of Chicago in 2002, and Beijing and New York City in 2003.{{Cite news |date=2010-03-23 |title=Central European (CE) carriers abandon many long-haul routes; Delta, LOT leading long-haul airlines at CE airports |url=http://www.anna.aero/2010/03/23/central-european-ce-carriers-abandon-many-long-haul-routes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327134005/https://www.anna.aero/2010/03/23/central-european-ce-carriers-abandon-many-long-haul-routes/ |archive-date=2010-03-27 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=anna.aero}} TAROM terminated loss-making domestic services to Craiova, Tulcea, Caransebeș, and Constanța, and focused its activity on service to key destinations in Europe and the Middle East. TAROM has decided to focus its operations on Bucharest (Henri Coandă International Airport) (OTP) and Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ), and initiated direct international flights from Sibiu International Airport. 2004 was the first profitable year of the last decade.{{Cite web |date=2005-06-05 |title=După profit operațional anul trecut, Tarom este cu jumătate de aripă în SkyTeam |trans-title=After operating profit last year, Tarom is half a wing into SkyTeam |url=https://www.zf.ro/companii/dupa-profit-operational-anul-trecut-tarom-este-cu-jumatate-de-aripa-in-skyteam-3022171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817004238/https://www.zf.ro/companii/dupa-profit-operational-anul-trecut-tarom-este-cu-jumatate-de-aripa-in-skyteam-3022171 |archive-date=2020-08-17 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Ziarul Financiar |language=ro}} By 2005, TAROM tried selling its A310 fleet three times, which was being preserved since 2003.{{Cite web |last=Purdea |first=Iohanna Onaca |date=2005-08-03 |title=Tarom, pusă să-și taie aripile transoceanice |trans-title=Tarom, forced to cut its transoceanic wings |url=https://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/tarom-pusa-sa-si-taie-aripile-transoceanice-40092.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526031033/https://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/tarom-pusa-sa-si-taie-aripile-transoceanice-40092.html |archive-date=2015-05-26 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Jurnalul Național |language=ro}}
A fleet upgrade programme started in 2006 with the acquisition of four Airbus A318s, three Boeing 737-800s, and two ATR 72-500s, which resulted in a fleet increase to 26 by 2009.
From 2003 till 2007, the airline spent €1 million per year to preserve its A310s "Moldova" and "Transilvania". In 2007, TAROM modernized its two Airbus A310 planes at the Airbus plant in Bordeaux. After being reconditioned, the pair was used in medium-haul flights, which were not successful.
The airline had a frequent-flyer programme "Smart Miles", which was turned into Flying Blue on 5 June 2010. Codeshare agreements with foreign partner airlines are in place for several international routes. On 25 June 2010, TAROM joined SkyTeam as the alliance's thirteenth member.
Starting with November 2012, in accordance with the Romanian state-company legislation, TAROM was led by a private manager, the Belgian Christian Heinzmann occupying the positions of CEO and Accountable Manager until March 2016. During Heinzmann's leadership, the company reduced its financial losses by more than 75%, grew its yearly passenger number to a record 2.4 million and stabilised its load-factor around 70%. However, broad reforms like the fleet renewal and harmonisation, as well as the establishment of profit centers such as the TAROM Maintenance and TAROM Charter services, were not accomplished due to a constant lack of a decision from the company's board of administrators.{{Cite web |last=Melenciuc |first=Sorin |date=2016-03-21 |title=INTERVIU: Heinzmann: Am avut la Tarom doar pălărie de manager privat, dar nicio putere. Angajații își iau concedii medicale și lucrează în altă parte |trans-title=INTERVIEW: Heinzmann: I only had a private manager hat at Tarom, but no power. The employees are taking sick leaves and working elsewhere |url=https://www.news.ro/economic/interviu-heinzmann-am-avut-la-tarom-doar-palarie-de-manager-privat-dar-nicio-putere-angajatii-isi-iau-concedii-medicale-si-lucreaza-in-alta-parte-1922415721002016032015410977 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=News.ro |language=ro}}{{Cite web |last=News.ro |date=2016-03-21 |title=INTERVIU Heinzmann: Am fost un corp străin la Tarom. Am fost un manager fără putere reală de decizie |trans-title=Heinzmann INTERVIEW: I was a foreign body at Tarom. I was a manager without real decision power |url=https://www.economica.net/interviu-heinzmann-am-fost-un-corp-strain-la-tarom-am-fost-un-manager-fara-putere-reala-de-decizie_116703.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410215127/https://www.economica.net/interviu-heinzmann-am-fost-un-corp-strain-la-tarom-am-fost-un-manager-fara-putere-reala-de-decizie_116703.html |archive-date=2016-04-10 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=ECONOMICA.net |language=ro}}
On 12 September and 29 October 2016, TAROM retired their remaining two Airbus A310-300s after final flights from Madrid to Bucharest. The A310s will be replaced with new smaller aircraft.{{Cite news |date=2016-11-01 |title=Romania's Tarom ends A310 operations |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/50443-romanias-tarom-ends-a310-operations |access-date=2019-07-17 |website=ch-aviation}} In May 2017, TAROM received its first of two leased Boeing 737-800s.{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Jim |date=2017-05-19 |title=TAROM outlines 737-800 operations from June 2017 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/272917/tarom-outlines-737-800-operations-from-june-2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523033122/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/272917/tarom-outlines-737-800-operations-from-june-2017/ |archive-date=2017-05-23 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Routesonline}} Another two ex-Malaysian Airlines 737-800 were added to the fleet in 2018 and a contract for five Boeing 737 MAX 8 was signed with deliveries stated to begin in 2023. On 27 December 2019, the Ministry of Transport announced that 9 new ATR 72-600 leased from Nordic Aviation Capital{{Cite web |last=Bobon |first=Gabriel |date=2019-06-26 |title=Cele nouă ATR-uri 72 vor fi închiriate de TAROM de la Nordic Aviation Capital |trans-title=The nine ATR 72s will be leased by TAROM from Nordic Aviation Capital |url=https://boardingpass.ro/cele-noua-atr-uri-72-vor-fi-inchiriate-de-tarom-de-la-nordic-aviation-capital/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710083614/https://boardingpass.ro/cele-noua-atr-uri-72-vor-fi-inchiriate-de-tarom-de-la-nordic-aviation-capital/ |archive-date=2019-07-10 |access-date=2020-08-16 |website=BoardingPass.ro |language=ro}} for a 10 year-period would replace the existent ATR 42-500 and 72-500, manufactured in 1999–2000 and 2009, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Sbîrn |first=Cristina |date=2019-12-27 |title=TAROM semnează pe final de an contractul de leasing pentru 9 avioane ATR, folosite în zborurile interne și regionale. Primele 4 vor veni în februarie 2020 |trans-title=TAROM signs at the end of the year the leasing contract for 9 ATR airplanes, used for internal and regional flights. The first 4 will come in February 2020 |url=https://www.g4media.ro/tarom-semneaza-pe-final-de-an-contractul-pentru-inchirierea-a-9-avioane-atr-folosite-pentru-zborurile-interne-si-regionale-primele-4-vor-veni-in-februarie-2020.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815205005/https://www.g4media.ro/tarom-semneaza-pe-final-de-an-contractul-pentru-inchirierea-a-9-avioane-atr-folosite-pentru-zborurile-interne-si-regionale-primele-4-vor-veni-in-februarie-2020.html |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2020-08-16 |website=G4Media |language=ro}} TAROM received the first four aircraft in February 2020, with the first one, registered with code YR-ATJ, landing in Bucharest on 18 February 2020, at 2:50 PM EET.{{Cite web |last=Bobon |first=Gabriel |date=2020-02-18 |title=Foto: primul ATR 72-600 din cele nouă comandate de TAROM a fost livrat |trans-title=Photo: the first ATR 72-600 from the nine ordered by TAROM has been delivered |url=https://boardingpass.ro/foto-primul-atr-72-600-din-cele-noua-comandate-de-tarom-a-fost-livrat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815205851/https://boardingpass.ro/foto-primul-atr-72-600-din-cele-noua-comandate-de-tarom-a-fost-livrat/ |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=BoardingPass.ro |language=ro}}
= 2020s =
The COVID-19 pandemic caused TAROM to temporarily cease all scheduled operations from 25 March 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-26|title=Ce zboruri sunt anulate în perioada stării de urgență|url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/zboruri-anulate-in-europa-2926987|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Libertatea|language=ro}} TAROM operated flights for the Romanian Government during the state of emergency, bringing medical equipment from China.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-09|title=Un avion Tarom a adus din China o nouă încărcătură de 350.000 de măști medicale FFP2|url=https://www.economica.net/un-avion-tarom-a-adus-din-china-o-noua-incarcatura-de-350-000-de-ma-ti-medicale-ffp2_182603.html|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Economica.net|language=ro}} After the state of emergency expired, TAROM resumed scheduled operations from May 2020.{{Cite web|title=Zborurile interne, reluate treptat în România. Ce reguli trebuie să respecte pasagerii|url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/s-au-reluat-primele-curse-aeriene-in-romania-spre-ce-destinatii-opereaza-companiile.html|access-date=2021-10-11|website=Stirileprotv.ro|language=ro}}
In 2021, TAROM's then new CEO stated that none of the airline's current routes were profitable.[https://www.aerotelegraph.com/keine-strecke-von-tarom-ist-rentabel aerotelegraph.com] (German) 15 November 2022 In October 2022, it was reported that the operator of Henri Coandă International Airport, TAROM's home base, was considering legal action against the airline over unpaid fees exceeding 10 million Euros, and also might suspend all services for the carrier.[https://www.romania-insider.com/cnab-recover-claims-tarom-october-2022 romania-insider.com - Bucharest Airport seeks to recover claims from Tarom, insolvency option floated] 27 September 2022
In November 2024, the European General Court rejected a legal challenge by low-cost carrier Wizz Air against a capital injection provided by the Romanian government to TAROM. The aid, valued at €2 million, was approved by the European Commission as part of efforts to compensate TAROM for losses related to COVID-19 travel restrictions.{{Cite web |last=Tamm |first=Heike |date=2024-11-07 |title=TAROM wins EU court battle as Wizz Air's challenge against state aid is dismissed |url=https://avitrader.com/2024/11/07/tarom-wins-eu-court-battle-as-wizz-airs-challenge-against-state-aid-is-dismissed/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=AviTrader Aviation News |language=en-GB}} Wizz Air argued that this financial support violated EU competition laws, but the court affirmed the European Commission’s decision, ruling that the subsidy was in compliance with EU state aid regulations.{{Cite web |last=Tamm |first=Heike |date=2024-11-07 |title=TAROM wins EU court battle as Wizz Air's challenge against state aid is dismissed |url=https://avitrader.com/2024/11/07/tarom-wins-eu-court-battle-as-wizz-airs-challenge-against-state-aid-is-dismissed/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=AviTrader Aviation News |language=en-GB}}
Corporate affairs
=Ownership=
TAROM is a state-owned company, with shareholding structure as follows:{{Cite web |title=Public interest information |url=https://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/public-interest-information |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717193201/https://www.tarom.ro/en/about-us/public-interest-information |archive-date=2019-07-17 |access-date=2019-07-17 |website=www.tarom.ro}}
class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;" | |
style="background: #082567; color:white;"| Shareholder
! style="background: #082567; color:white"| Interest | |
---|---|
The Romanian Government (held through the Ministry of Transport) | style="text-align: right;" |97.22% |
Bucharest Airports National Company | style="text-align: right;" |1.46% |
ROMATSA R.A.(Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration) | style="text-align: right;" |1.24% |
Societatea de Investiții Financiare Muntenia | style="text-align: right;" |0.08% |
style="text-align: center;" | Total | style="text-align: right;" |100.00% |
=Business trends=
Figures for recent years are shown below (for years ending 31 December):
=Logo and livery=
The TAROM logo, representing a swallow in flight, has been used on all TAROM aircraft since 1954. The 1970s livery had the logo on the tail painted in red, with a red cheatline. The livery introduced in the early 1990s (on the Airbus A310 aircraft) is an overall-white scheme with the titles and the tailfin painted in dark blue. The current colour scheme (introduced in 2006 on the A318) is a slightly modified version of the previous one, with an oversized logo on the tailfin, and the engine pods also painted in dark blue.
All aircraft in the TAROM fleet receive a "name" which is a Romanian toponym. For instance, the names of the ATR aircraft in the fleet are related to the rivers of Romania, the Boeing aircraft bear names of Romanian cities, the Airbus long-haul aircraft bore Romanian historical province names; while the Airbus A318s bear names of Romanian aviation pioneers.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
In 2009, marking the airline's 55th anniversary, a Boeing 737-700 (YR-BGG "Craiova") was painted in a retro jet colour scheme, representing the airline's first livery used in the 1950s on Lisunov Li-2 aircraft.{{Cite web |last=Radu |first=Sintia |date=2008-12-12 |title=Aeronavă aniversară cu ocazia împlinirii a 55 de ani de la înființarea TAROM (FOTO) |trans-title=Anniversary aircraft with the occasion of reaching 55 years since the establishment of TAROM (PHOTO) |url=https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/aeronava-aniversara-cu-ocazia-implinirii-a-55-de-ani-de-la-infiintarea-tarom-foto-60111.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214133527/http://www.antena3.ro/stiri/antena3ro/aeronava-aniversara-cu-ocazia-implinirii-a-55-de-ani-de-la-infiintarea-tarom_60111.html |archive-date=2008-12-14 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Antena 3 |language=ro}}
=TAROM Technical Division=
TAROM's Technical Division provides aircraft maintenance services for the company's entire fleet and aircraft of other companies. It provides maintenance for Boeing 737, ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft in central and eastern Europe and include unscheduled and scheduled maintenance, repairs and spare parts.
Major maintenance is performed in the division's hangar, built between 1969 and 1972, with an area of 6,000 m{{sup|2}} and updated in 2000 to comply with EASA and FAA standards. The hangar is equipped to perform all types of inspections for TAROM's fleet, and the personnel is qualified and licensed for all types of aircraft in the fleet. The hangar can be used to maintain three to six aircraft, depending on their size. The hangar is equipped with a full MERO system for B737 docking.
The department also has inspection capacity for type C for Airbus A310 and A318 aircraft, total painting, interior cleaning, and modifications.
The technical department also provides safe storage facilities for spare parts and materials necessary for maintenance, dedicated spaces for chemicals, special tools and testing equipment, and quarantine spaces. It also provides conveyance services (packaging, preparation of documents, customs) and acceptance services (customs, disassembly, and reception inspection) for various substances and equipment.{{Cite web |title=Technical Department |url=https://www.tarom.ro/en/services/technical-department/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719214129/https://www.tarom.ro/en/technical-department |archive-date=2017-07-19 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=www.tarom.ro}}
In a dispute between TAROM and UK airline Jet2.com regarding failure to provide adequate maintenance services for Jet2.com's fleet and the latter's resulting failure to pay certain invoices, the High Court in England determined that TAROM's attempt to terminate the contract in 2007 for non-payment was invalid, and treated the termination as a repudiatory breach of the contract. Jet2.com were awarded damages.England and Wales High Court (Commercial Court), [https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2012/622.html Jet2.com Ltd v SC Compania Nationala De Transporturi Aeriene Romane Tarom SA
Destinations
{{Main|List of TAROM destinations}}
The airline operates flights to 50 destinations including charter and seasonal services in 22 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa including eight domestic destinations.
The airline's flights to the USA ceased in 2003 and are now operated under a codeshare agreement with Air France via Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.{{Cite web |title=Harta destinațiilor TAROM |trans-title=TAROM destinations map |url=https://www.tarom.ro/destinatii/harta-destinatiilor/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519223914/https://www.tarom.ro/destinatii/harta-destinatiilor/ |archive-date=2017-05-19 |access-date=2017-05-25 |website=www.tarom.ro |language=ro}}
=Alliances=
In 2006, TAROM was scheduled to join SkyTeam as an associate member (sponsored by Alitalia), but its accession was postponed until 2008. On 7 May 2008, SkyTeam signed a SkyTeam Alliance Associate Adherence Agreement (SAAAA) with TAROM. On 22 June 2010, SkyTeam announced that it had renewed its membership program, thereby making TAROM a future full member of the alliance.{{Cite press release |title=SKYTEAM CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY |date=22 June 2010 |publisher=SkyTeam |url=http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20100622.html |access-date=5 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628014029/http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20100622.html |archive-date=28 June 2010 |url-status=dead}} On 25 June 2010, TAROM became a full member of SkyTeam.{{Cite press release |title=TAROM AIRLINES JOINS SKYTEAM |date=25 June 2010 |publisher=SkyTeam |url=http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20100625.html |access-date=5 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630083621/http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20100625.html |archive-date=30 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}
Fleet
=Current fleet=
{{As of|2024|11}}, TAROM operates the following aircraft:{{cite web|url=https://boardingpass.ro/tarom-a-obtinut-zece-milioane-de-dolari-din-vanzarea-atr-urilor-42/|title=TAROM has obtained $10m for selling the ATR 42|date=19 November 2024 |publisher=boardingpass.ro}}
=Fleet development=
File:TAROM A318-100 (YR-ASD) arrives London Heathrow 15Sep2015 arp.jpg]]
File:YR-BGK Boeing 737-82R Tarom LHR 17.1.22.jpg]]
File:YR-ATJ.jpg at Bucharest Air Show 2022, wearing a revised livery.]]
== Short-haul fleet ==
TAROM agreed in 2019 to lease 9 ATR 72-600 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital to replace existing ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 aircraft.{{Cite magazine |title=Turboprops for TAROM |url=https://www.key.aero/article/turboprops-tarom |magazine=Airliner World |volume=August 2019 |page=11 |access-date=2020-08-15}} In 2021, the order was reduced from 9 to 7 ATR 72-600.{{Cite web |last1=Sorin |last2=Rusi |first2=Sorin |date=2021-11-17 |title=Flota TAROM va cuprinde 7 aeronave ATR 72-600 |url=https://airlinestravel.ro/flota-tarom-va-cuprinde-7-aeronave-atr-72-600.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=AirlinesTravel.ro - Aviatie si Turism |language=ro-RO}}
== Medium-haul fleet ==
After the retiring of Airbus A310s in 2016, two new Boeing 737-800 were leased in 2017. In 2018, another two Boeing 737-800 were leased. Also, at the Farnborough Air Show, the Government of Romania signed a contract to buy 5 Boeing 737 MAX-8 at an estimated value of $586 million. As of 2022, TAROM was negotiating with a few leasing companies for 4 to 8 Boeing 737 MAX-8.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-16 |title=Tarom a comandat cinci aeronave Boeing 737 MAX 8, în valoare de 586 milioane dolari |url=https://www.economica.net/tarom-a-comandat-cinci-aeronave-boeing-737-max-8-in-valoare-de-586-milioane-dolari_156072.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Economica.net |language=ro}} Airbus A318s and Boeing 737-700s are going to be retired soon, while Boeing 737-300s were retired in 2021.
== Long-haul fleet ==
TAROM had been planning to lease three widebody aircraft to resume long-haul operations to China and the United States after the withdrawal of its Airbus A310s. The Request For Proposals (RFP) to leasing firms expired on 31 August 2017.{{Cite news |date=2017-08-07 |title=Romania's Tarom issues lease RFP for three widebody jets |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/58409-romanias-tarom-issues-lease-rfp-for-three-widebody-jets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811144345/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/58409-romanias-tarom-issues-lease-rfp-for-three-widebody-jets |archive-date=2017-08-11 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=ch-aviation}} In 2018, TAROM made efforts to lease some Boeing 787s, but there was no further information.{{Cite web |title=Doi oficiali TAROM au fost in SUA sa vada doua Boeing-uri 787 Dreamliner |url=https://aeronews.ro/doi-oficiali-tarom-au-fost-in-sua-sa-vada-doua-boeing-uri-787-dreamliner/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=aeronews.ro |language=en-US}}
== VIP fleet ==
In 2018, the CEO of that time declared that TAROM could operate a legacy aircraft with maximum 10 seats, which could fly over Atlantic, in order to be leased by the Romanian Government, the Presidential Administration, for VIP business affairs or in medical emergencies.{{Cite web |title=Tarom vrea să cumpere un avion ultra-premium, cu maxim 10 locuri: "Va putea fi închiriat de oamenii de afaceri, dar şi de Guvern ori Preşedinţie" |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-22589466-tarom-vrea-cumpere-avion-ultra-premium-maxim-10-locuri-putea-nchiriat-oamenii-afaceri-dar-guvern-ori-pre-edin.htm |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.hotnews.ro |date=27 July 2018 |language=ro}} There was no further development. Between 2010 and 2013, under the Băsescu administration, TAROM operated an Airbus A310-300 for presidential purposes.{{Cite web |title=T. Băsescu: Categoric nu voi mai utiliza o aeronavă TAROM! |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/evenimente/t-basescu-categoric-nu-voi-mai-utiliza-o-aeronava-tarom-58997 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.digi24.ro |date=21 March 2013 |language=ro}}
=Former fleet=
During its history, TAROM also operated the following aircraft types:{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Airbus A310-300
- Airbus A318{{cite web|url=https://boardingpass.ro/ultimul-zbor-tarom-operat-cu-un-airbus-sfarsitul-unei-ere/|title=The last flight operated by an Airbus: the end of an era|date=21 November 2024 |publisher=boardingpass.ro}}
- Antonov An-2
- Antonov An-24
- ATR 42
- BAC One-Eleven
- ROMBAC 1-11
- Boeing 707
- Boeing 737-300{{cite web |last=Bobon |first=Gabriel |title=EXPLICAȚIE: de ce a început TAROM să își vândă activele? |website=BoardingPass.ro |date=4 October 2024 |url=https://boardingpass.ro/de-ce-a-inceput-tarom-sa-isi-vanda-activele/ |language=ro |access-date=15 October 2024}}
- Boeing 737-500
- Ilyushin Il-14
- Ilyushin Il-18
- Ilyushin Il-62
- Lisunov Li-2
- McDonnell Douglas DC-10
- Mil Mi-4
- Tupolev Tu-154
{{div col end}}
Incidents and accidents
- On 4 November 1957, a TAROM Ilyushin Il-14P (YR-PCC) operating a government flight from Bucharest to Moscow via Kiev, crashed short of the runway at Vnukovo Airport, killing four of 16 on board. The aircraft was on approach to Vnukovo Airport when the pilot noticed that the aircraft was too low, however, the aircraft continued its descent until it struck treetops and later crashed. The aircraft was carrying a Romanian delegation consisting of Chivu Stoica, Grigore Preoteasa, Alexandru Moghioroș, Ștefan Voitec, Nicolae Ceaușescu, Leonte Răutu and Marin Năstase to Moscow. Preoteasa, who apparently was not wearing a safety belt, and three Soviet crew members lost their lives.{{ASN accident|title=YR-PCC|id=334364|wikibase=yes}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-ilyushin-ii-14p-moscow-4-killed|title=Crash of an Ilyushin Il-14P in Moscow: 4 killed|website=B3A Archives}}
- On 24 February 1962 an Ilyushin Il-18V, registration YR-IMB, operating on an international scheduled flight from Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to Tel Aviv via Nicosia lost power on all four engines and made a belly landing on a grassy field in Cyprus. While cruising at {{convert|23,000|ft|0}} over the Mediterranean Sea and {{convert|43| mi|nmi km}} offshore, engine number 3 lost power, followed shortly by number 1 and 2. Then, at {{convert|10,000|ft|0}} and {{convert|27|mi|nmi km}} offshore, engine 4 also quit. All 100 occupants survived. The aircraft was transported to Moscow for repairs, but it never re-entered service.{{ASN accident|title=Ilyushin Il-18V YR-IMB Paphos |id=19620224-0 |accessdate=26 July 2013}}
- On 16 June 1963, a VEB 14P (YR-ILL) flying from Munich to Constanța entered a dive and crashed near the village of Békéssámson, Hungary following engine problems, killing all 31 on board.{{ASN accident|title=VEB 14P YR-ILL Békéssámson|id=19630616-0|accessdate=17 August 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Szekeres András |date=2008-06-15 |title=Légikatasztrófa a répaföld felett – az elfelejtett békéssámsoni tragédia |url=https://www.beol.hu/bekes/kek-hirek-bulvar/legikatasztrofa-a-repafold-felett-az-elfelejtett-bekessamsoni-tragedia-152650/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830064253/https://www.beol.hu/bekes/kek-hirek-bulvar/legikatasztrofa-a-repafold-felett-az-elfelejtett-bekessamsoni-tragedia-152650/ |archive-date=2009-08-30 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Beol.hu |language=hu}}{{Cite web |last=Szathmáry István |date=2008-11-17 |title=Úszógumi |url=https://magyarnemzet.hu/archivum/archivum-magyarnemzet/uszogumi-6249161/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817104755/https://magyarnemzet.hu/archivum/archivum-magyarnemzet/uszogumi-6249161/ |archive-date=2020-08-17 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Magyar Nemzet |language=hu}}{{Cite web |date=2008-11-02 |title=Békéssámson: a légikatasztrófa emléke |url=http://hir6.hu/cikk/22654/081102_bekessamson_a_legikatasztrofa_emleke |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817104113/http://hir6.hu/cikk/22654/081102_bekessamson_a_legikatasztrofa_emleke |archive-date=2020-08-17 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=hir6.hu |language=hu}}
- On 9 October 1964, an Ilyushin Il-14P, registration YR-ILB, operating a domestic scheduled flight from Timișoara to Bucharest broke up in mid-air and crashed {{convert|2|km|mi nmi|spell=in}} south of Cugir, killing all 31 on board. The aircraft had flown into a strong downdraft; the pilot attempted to maintain altitude, but this caused the fuselage to overstress and break up.{{ASN accident|title=Ilyushin Il-14P YR-ILB Cugir |id=19641009-0 |accessdate=1 December 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Țimonea |first=Dorin |date=2019-10-09 |title=FOTO 55 de ani de la catastrofa aeriană de la Cugir. 31 de oameni au murit după prăbuşirea unui avion TAROM |trans-title=PHOTO 55 years from the air catastrophy from Cugir. 31 people died after the crash of a TAROM airplane |url=https://adevarul.ro/locale/alba-iulia/foto-55-ani-catastrofa-aeriana-cugir-31-oameni-murit-prabusirea-unui-avion-tarom-1_5d9e17bf892c0bb0c66cb8a7/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009230256/https://adevarul.ro/locale/alba-iulia/foto-55-ani-catastrofa-aeriana-cugir-31-oameni-murit-prabusirea-unui-avion-tarom-1_5d9e17bf892c0bb0c66cb8a7/index.html |archive-date=2019-10-09 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=Adevărul |language=ro}}
- On 11 August 1966, a Lisunov Li-2, registration YR-TAN, crashed in the Lotrioara Valley en route from Brașov to Constanţa, killing all 24 on board.{{cite web|url=https://baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-lisunov-li-2-lotrioara-24-killed|title=Crash of a Lisunov Li-2 in Lotrioara: 24 killed|website=Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives}}
- On 4 February 1970, TAROM Flight 35, an Antonov An-24, registration YR-AMT, operating a domestic scheduled flight from Bucharest to Oradea struck the side of a mountain in the Vlădeasa mountain group, killing 20 of 21 on board; although nine survived the crash, eight died in the low temperatures before rescuers reached the crash site. The aircraft began descending too soon in poor visibility until it struck treetops on a mountainside, after which it struck the slope of a second mountain. The aircraft was leased from the Romanian government.{{ASN accident|title=Antonov An-24V YR-AMT Vlădeasa mountain group |id=19700204-2 |accessdate=1 December 2015}}
- On 29 December 1974, an Antonov An-24, registration YR-AMD, operating on a domestic scheduled flight from Oradea to Bucharest was making an unscheduled stop at Sibiu and crashed into the side of the Lotrului mountains ({{convert|22|km|mi nmi}} south of Sibiu) at an altitude of {{convert|1,700|m|0}}, killing all 28 passengers and 5 crew members. The crew's incorrect approach procedure execution, which led to the aircraft drifting south off course by {{convert|20|km|mi nmi}}, while the wind was increasing turbulence was present.{{ASN accident|title=Antonov An-24RV YR-AMD Sibiu Airport (SBZ) |id=19741229-0 |accessdate=5 July 2010}}
- On 7 August 1980, a Tupolev Tu-154B-1 registered YR-TPH, operating on an international scheduled flight from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Nouadhibou Airport, Mauritania ditched in the water {{convert|300|m|ft yd|0}} short of the runway at Nouadhibou Airport. The crew could not see the runway while descending through the {{convert|90|m|adj=on}} decision height. A missed approach procedure was initiated when the pilot felt contact with what he thought was ground but was actually water.{{ASN accident|title=Tupolev Tu-154B-1 YR-TPH Nouadhibou Airport (NDB) |id=19800807-1 |accessdate=5 July 2010}} All of the 152 passengers and 16 crew members survived the impact, but a passenger suffered a heart attack and died before he could be rescued. Most of the passengers were sailors who were going to replace the crew of two Romanian ships located on the Mauritanian coast. Many passengers swam to the land, while sharks were kept away by the vibrations of an engine which continued to function for a few hours after the crash.
- On 5 September 1986, an Antonov An-24 registered YR-AMF operating on a domestic scheduled flight from Bucharest Băneasa Airport touched down nose wheel-first while landing at Cluj Airport. A fire erupted, killing three crew members who were trapped in the cockpit. The other two crew members and all fifty passengers survived.{{ASN accident|title=Antonov An-24RV YR-AMF Cluj Airport (CLJ) |id=19860905-1 |accessdate=2 July 2010}}
- On 28 December 1989, during the Romanian Revolution, an Antonov An-24 flying from Bucharest to Belgrade, carrying Sunday Times journalist Ian Henry Parry, was shot down by a missile at Vișina, Dâmbovița. All the people on board (six crew members and the passenger) died.{{Cite web |date=12 December 2011 |title="Nu înțeleg ce s-a întâmplat? De ce l-au lăsat să plece?". Pilotul Valter Jurcovan a murit la Revoluție în timp ce aducea sânge pentru răniți |trans-title="I don't get what happened? Why did they let him leave?". Pilot Valter Jurcovan died in the Revolution while bringing blood for the injured |url=https://jurnalul.ro/special-jurnalul/nu-inteleg-ce-s-a-intamplat-de-ce-l-au-lasat-sa-plece-pilotul-valter-jurcovan-a-murit-la-revolutie-in-timp-ce-aducea-sange-pentru-raniti-598995.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822141512/http://www.jurnalul.ro/special/nu-inteleg-ce-s-a-intamplat-de-ce-l-au-lasat-sa-plece-pilotul-valter-jurcovan-a-murit-la-revolutie-in-timp-ce-aducea-sange-pentru-raniti-598995.htm |archive-date=22 August 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012 |website=Jurnalul Național |language=ro}}{{Cite web |title=Romania: TAROM |url=http://www.airlineupdate.com/content_public/airlines/airline_profiles/airlines_romania/tarom.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116114406/http://www.airlineupdate.com/content_public/airlines/airline_profiles/airlines_romania/tarom.htm |archive-date=2013-01-16 |access-date=2020-08-15 |publisher=Airlineupdate.com}}{{Cite web |last=Longworth |first=R. C. |author-link=Richard C. Longworth |date=1989-12-29 |title=Dead tyrant's forces defy ultimatum |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-29-8903210684-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200815175750/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-29-8903210684-story.html |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Chicago Tribune}}
File:TAROM Ilyushin IL-18 YR-IMH.jpg that crashed in 1991 near Uricani]]
- On 13 August 1991, TAROM Flight 785A, an Ilyushin Il-18, flying from Otopeni to Timișoara Airport crashed in the Retezat Mountains during a repositioning flight. The flight crew, and an aircraft maintenance crew, a total of 9 people, died instantly. Whilst the official cause of the crash was attributed to pilot error (the pilots did not use radar instruments and only assumed their positions, thus getting lost), the secrecy regarding the crash sparked a few conspiracy theories, which include sabotage, accidental shootdown from a nearby surface-to-air missiles unit (a theory later dismissed by the MApN), and UFOs that tricked the pilots into believing they had arrived at their destination, linked to the sightings of unusual lights on 4 August 1991.{{ASN accident |title=Ilyushin Il-18V YR-IMH Uricani |id=19910813-0 |accessdate=17 July 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Muntele Retezat - 4 august 1991 |trans-title=Retezat Mountain - 4 August 1991 |url=https://www.asfanufo.ro/index.php/istorie/106-muntele-retezat-4-august-1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428200647/https://www.asfanufo.ro/index.php/istorie/106-muntele-retezat-4-august-1991 |archive-date=2016-04-28 |access-date=2019-07-17 |website=www.asfanufo.ro |language=ro}}
- On 24 September 1994, TAROM Flight 381, an Airbus A310 registered YR-LCA flying from Bucharest to Paris Orly, went into a sudden and uncommanded nose-up position and stalled. The crew attempted to countermand the aircraft's flight control system but were unable to lower the nose while remaining on course. Witnesses saw the aircraft climb with an extreme nose-up attitude, then bank sharply left, then right, then fall into a steep dive. Only when the dive produced additional speed was the crew able to recover steady flight. An investigation found that an overshoot of flap placard speed during the approach, incorrectly commanded by the captain, caused a mode transition to flight level change. The auto-throttles increased power and trim went full nose-up as a result. The crew's attempt at commanding the nose-down elevator could not counteract the effect of stabilizer nose-up trim, and the resulting dive brought the aircraft from a height of {{convert|4,100|ft|0}} at the time of the stall to {{convert|800|ft|0}} when the crew was able to recover command. The aircraft landed safely after a second approach. There were 186 people on board.{{Cite web |title=INCIDENT TAROM |url=http://ufcna.com/DOS2tarom24101994.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717141027/http://ufcna.com/DOS2tarom24101994.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |access-date=5 July 2010 |publisher=UFCNA.com}}
File:Airbus A310 YR-LCC TAROM at OTP 27.3.1995 F359-27.jpg in 1995 that crashed 4 days later near Bucharest Otopeni Airport]]
- On 31 March 1995, a TAROM Airbus A310 operating as Flight 371 crashed near Balotești due to a fault in the throttles and lack of recovery from the flight crew, killing all 49 passengers and 11 crew members on board.
- On 30 December 2007, a TAROM Boeing 737-300 (YR-BGC "Constanța"), flying Flight 3107 hit a car on the runway of Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport while taking off for Sharm-el-Sheikh. The aircraft stopped beside the runway and was severely damaged.{{Cite web |last=A.N. |date=2007-12-31 |title=Raport preliminar al accidentului de pe Henri Coandă: lipsă de coordonare între turnul de control și echipa de balizaj |trans-title=Preliminary report of the Henri Coandă accident: lack of coordination between the control tower and the beacon team |url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-2144752-raport-preliminar-accidentului-henri-coanda-lipsa-coordonare-intre-turnul-control-echipa-balizaj.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919182742/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-2144752-raport-preliminar-accidentului-henri-coanda-lipsa-coordonare-intre-turnul-control-echipa-balizaj.htm |archive-date=2012-09-19 |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=Hotnews.ro |language=ro}} None of the passengers were injured. Because of fog, neither the tower nor the pilots saw the car belonging to staff who were repairing a runway beacon.
- On 9 July 2019, a TAROM ATR 42-500 (YR-ATF) burst the tyres of the main landing gear wheels at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport while conducting the landing of Flight 638 from Satu Mare. None of the passengers were injured.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-09 |title=UPDATE Explozie la anvelopele trenului de aterizare al unui avion, la sosirea pe Aeroportul Henri Coandă; Tarom: Cei 22 de pasageri ai aeronavei care venea de la Satu Mare au fost debarcați și li se asigură asistență la sol. FOTO |trans-title=UPDATE Explosion in the landing gear tires of an airplane, at its arrival on Henri Coandă Airport; Tarom: The 22 passengers of the aircraft that was coming from Satu Mare have been disembarked and are being offered assistance on ground. PHOTO |url=https://www.news.ro/eveniment/update-explozie-anvelopele-trenului-aterizare-unui-avion-sosirea-aeroportul-henri-coanda-tarom-cei-22-pasageri-aeronavei-venea-satu-mare-au-debarcati-asigura-asistenta-sol-foto-1924403809002019072019055826 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815220027/https://www.news.ro/eveniment/update-explozie-anvelopele-trenului-aterizare-unui-avion-sosirea-aeroportul-henri-coanda-tarom-cei-22-pasageri-aeronavei-venea-satu-mare-au-debarcati-asigura-asistenta-sol-foto-1924403809002019072019055826 |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2020-08-16 |website=News.ro |language=ro}} An internal safety investigation was conducted, with a report being published on 11 September 2019. TAROM's report concluded that the tyre explosions were caused by the parking brakes being engaged on contact with the runway. The brakes locked shortly after contact with the runway. This resulted in the bursting of all four tyres of the main landing wheels. The early engagement of parking brakes were attributed to pilot error. Specifically, poor cockpit resource management (CRM).{{Cite web |last=Bolocan |first=Valentin |date=2019-09-11 |title=Cum explică Tarom periculosul incident în care, la aterizarea pe Otopeni, unui avion i-au explodat toate cele 4 anvelope ale trenului principal |trans-title=How does Tarom explain the dangerous incident, in which, when landing on Otopeni, a plane's four tires of its main gear exploded |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/eveniment/cum-explica-tarom-periculosul-incidentul-care-aterizarea-otopeni-unui-avion-i-au-explodat-cele-4-anvelope-trenului-principal-1_5d78f860892c0bb0c6802d5f/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913023550/https://adevarul.ro/news/eveniment/cum-explica-tarom-periculosul-incidentul-care-aterizarea-otopeni-unui-avion-i-au-explodat-cele-4-anvelope-trenului-principal-1_5d78f860892c0bb0c6802d5f/index.html |archive-date=2019-09-13 |access-date=2020-08-16 |website=Adevărul |language=ro}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
See also
References
=Citations=
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{Refbegin}}
- {{Cite book |last1=Balotescu |first1=Nicolae |title=Istoria Aviației Române |last2=Burlacu |first2=Dumitru |last3=Crăciun |first3=Dumitru N. |last4=Dăscălescu |first4=Jean |last5=Dediu |first5=Dumitru |last6=Gheorghiu |first6=Constantin |last7=Ionescu |first7=Corneliu |last8=Mocanu |first8=Vasile |last9=Nicolau |first9=Constantin |publisher=Editura Științifică și Pedagogică |year=1984 |location=Bucharest |language=ro |trans-title=The History of Romanian Aviation |ref={{harvid|Balotescu et al.|1984}} |author-link5=Dumitru Dediu |last10=Popescu-Rosetti |first10=Ion |last11=Prunariu |first11=Dumitru |last12=Tudose |first12=Stelian |last13=Ucrain |first13=Constantin |last14=Zărnescu |first14=Gheorghe |author-link11=Dumitru Prunariu}}
{{Refend}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|TAROM}}
- [http://www.tarom.ro Official website]
- [https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/ro-rot/routes TAROM current destinations]
{{Portal bar|Romania|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{SkyTeam}}
{{Navbox Airlines of Romania}}
{{IATA members|europe}}
{{Association of European Airlines}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tarom}}
Category:Companies based in Bucharest
Category:Airlines established in 1954
Category:Government-owned airlines