Thousands of passengers helplessly and anxiously looked at the flight schedule screens at airports in Romania and beyond on September 6, 2022. Those waiting to fly to Blue Air destinations were holding plane tickets with canceled flights. They did not know why or if they would fly again.

Then the low-cost carrier suddenly announced that it was canceling 400 flights until September 12 because the environmental fund had seized the company’s accounts. An avalanche of sometimes conflicting information, a loss of confidence in the company and problems that followed that day’s announcement forced Blue Air planes to remain on the ground.

With debts of 230 million euros and state aid of 60 million euros that was never repaid, the company was taken over by the state. A second rise of Blue Air from its own ashes is unlikely. The Romanian company experienced a turning point ten years ago, when it was bought out of bankruptcy by Teodor Rada and three other shareholders.

Until the state learns what exactly took over, airlines – current ones as well as new ones – are expanding and trying to fill the void left by Blue Air.

Who can take the place of Blue Air

At press conferences in recent years, representatives of Wizz Air have always stated that they are ready if a gap appears in the market. They quickly made their calculations, and a day after Blue Air’s announcement, the Hungarian company already announced an increase in flight capacity on the Romanian market with five planes and new routes.

However, Wizz Air has not yet succeeded in completely replacing Blue Air.

Read in full at Panorama.ro