Starting today, Otopeni Airport will close, one by one, one of the two check-in “islands” in the airport terminal (each with 52 counters), while the other two islands, in the new area of ​​the airport terminal, will operate at maximum capacity, the Compania Nationala announced Aeroporturi Bucuresti SA

The closed check-in counters are part of the process of upgrading equipment for handling checked baggage in the departure stream.

The contract will run for two years and will replace the baggage handling system at the old Plechery airport. The system, which has been in operation for almost 20 years, includes both a check-in area, baggage carousels and corresponding conveyor belts, as well as equipment for automatic security control of checked baggage, company representatives also say.

A contract worth 21 million euros was signed with the French company Alstef Automation SAS.

After the completion of the works, the throughput of baggage processing in the flow of departures will increase by 40% and 12 “self-service” counters will be available, which will allow the passenger to hand in checked baggage on his own, without going to the check-in counter.

The only more difficult period during the project is the first (October 2022 – August 2023), in which the throughput will be reduced by 25%. After replacing the equipment in the first registration zone, the throughput will return to 100%, and after replacing from the second zone, the total capacity will reach 140% of the current one.

CN Aeroporturi Bucharest, in cooperation with service agencies and other organizations involved, will implement special measures to avoid creating disruptions to flights and, implicitly, to minimize any discomfort for passengers through planning and efficient use of the existing infrastructure. In this regard, we recommend that passengers arrive at the airport 3 hours before the scheduled departure time and complete all pre-flight formalities (registration, security control, border control) without delay.