The world’s largest independent airport slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), will provide full coordination services at Bucharest’s Henri Coanda International Airport from the 2026-2027 winter season under a multi-year agreement that will come into force on October 25, 2026, the National Company Bucharest Airports (CNAB) informed.

According to a CNAB press release, the airport operator has signed a coordination agreement for Henri Coanda International Airport under which arrivals and departures will be scheduled and coordinated in order to optimise operational capacity.

With the introduction of the highest level of airport coordination (Level 3), flights will be scheduled through the allocation of slots (fixed arrival and departure times), enabling the airport’s actual runway and terminal capacity to be aligned with the number of scheduled flights.

“Under Level 3 coordination, airlines are required to obtain an airport slot – a fixed take-off or landing time – with allocations managed by an independent coordinator in accordance with EU Regulation No. 95/93 and IATA standards,” the press release said.

All major European airports currently operate under Level 3 coordination, including London, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Berlin Schonefeld, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Rome, Milan, Barcelona and Madrid.

Henri Coanda Airport will be coordinated by Airport Coordination Limited, a UK-based company that provides airport slot coordination services for 80 major airports worldwide.

The coordination process represents a major improvement in the operation of Romania’s principal airport, delivering a number of immediate benefits, including more efficient use of existing airport infrastructure. Each landing and take-off will be aligned with the airport’s declared capacity, ensuring the optimal use of runways, aircraft stands and terminal facilities.

Another benefit will be reduced congestion and improved airline punctuality. Arrivals and departures will be more evenly distributed throughout the day, easing pressure during peak periods and contributing to smoother operations.

Improved operational predictability is another advantage, as the airport will move to a coordinated seasonal schedule, allowing more efficient planning of services and operational resources such as boarding gates, aircraft parking stands and baggage handling systems.

In addition, the coordination process will provide a solid foundation for future traffic growth. The airport’s operational capacity will be managed more effectively as passenger numbers and flight volumes continue to increase.