TAROM, the only full-service operator with direct flights between Romania and Italy

31 January 2017, date the last direct flight Bucharest - Rome with Alitalia. Also, 31 January 2017 is the date on which Alitalia leaves the Romanian market.

The official reasons have not yet been communicated, but we know that Bucharest is not the only destination that the Italian carrier will give up. Alitalia it is going through a period of reorganization and optimization, taking the decision to reduce its activity on some European routes, and others to close them.

To these decisions, the activities of the low-cost companies have certainly contributed. Ryanair, Wizz Air and Blue Air aggressively entered destinations in Italy. And since February 1, their expansion will be even greater. Blue Air has announced up to 21 weekly flights on the route Bucharest - Rome.

The only full-service company, which still operates direct flights between destinations in Romania and Italy, is TAROM.

3 continues to operate weekly flights, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, on route Bucharest - Rome Fiumicino. Rates start from the 90 EURO (return flights and taxes included). The flights are operated by Boeing 737-700 aircraft, which can carry up to 116 seats: 14 seats in Business Class and 102 seats in Economy Class.

Bucharest - Rome flight schedule with TAROM:

RO403 Bucharest 10:15 - 11:25 Rome
RO404 Rome 12:10 - 15:25 Bucharest

TAROM operates flights to Italy and from the base in Iasi: Iasi - Rome (2 flights per week), fares from 138 Euro; Iasi - Bologna (2 weekly flights), fares from 125 Euro; Iasi - Turin (3 flights a week), fares from 129 Euro. Peppered fares for these flights.

As we can see, while low-cost operators are increasing frequencies to Italy, TAROM continues to operate a small number of flights.

The advantages of TAROM

Although TAROM would have some advantages, the national carrier does not highlight them. First, TAROM is a full-service carrier. The price of the ticket is included for free: luggage weighing up to 23Kg (up to 30 Kg on direct flights from Iasi to Rome / Bologna / Turin); hand luggage weighing up to 10Kg; catering on board; Free airport check-in, kiosk, online and mobile.

Being in the SkyTeam alliance, on TAROM flights you can collect miles at Flying Blue. Taking advantage of Skyteam alliance, TAROM could sell airline tickets via Rome in partnership with Alitalia / Air France / KLM for long-haul destinations. From Rome, Alitalia flies to New York, Miami, Havana, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing and many more. And Alitalia offers are good!

I know many passengers who have complained about the poor services offered by Alitalia, lost luggage and many other problems generated by the Italian carrier. But I think things are going in the right direction. I hope Alitalia will recover from the crisis it is going through and revisit the planes in Bucharest.

Photo cover by Tudor Rădulescu!