Bucharest - Henri Coanda

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ICAO Code LROP/OTP
Last Validated
City Bucharest
Position 44°34'16"N 026°05'06"E
Runway(s) 08L/26R, 08R/26L
Elevation 314ft

General

Bucuresti-Henri Coanda is the main international airport of Romania and used to be named "Otopeni". The military part of Otopeni goes by the name of "Baza 90 Aviatie de Transport Gheorghe Banciulescu" and is home to the transport fleet of the Romanian Air Force and two IAR330 SOCAT squadrons.
The airport has a special policy regarding spotting which is published on the homepage. Photographers have special spots where photography is allowed, they are outside of the airport perimeter, on the basis of identification and access permits issued by the airport. In order to obtain a permit plane spotters, you have to send a request with your contact information (name, phone) on the following address planespotters@otp-airport.ro with a CC to otp@otp-airport.ro in the shortest possible time. Thereafter you will be contacted for the required formalities.

Getting There

The airport can be found 15 kilometers to the North side of Bucharest and is well sign-posted from Higway 1. You will see it anyway, because it is located next to this highway.

Around the Airport

1Terminal

The civil terminal offers views of the ramp. Photography of parked aircraft is possible, but not allowed. The civil terminal can be found by following the signs to the Departure terminal.

2Military Gate

The gate to "Baza 90 Aviatie de Transport Gheorghe Banciulescu" can be found by taking the last right from Higway 1 before the civil terminal (coming from the South). Views of the airport are difficult, but the stored aircraft, if present, can be seen from here. From the trees to the right of the maingate (right to the grassfield), some aircraft can be read. Walking from the military gate towards the terminal offers more views.

3Military ramps

Coming from the South on Highway, take the first road to the right after the "Police 200 mtrs" sign. This is "Str.23. August" and comes just after you pass a pedestrians-bridge. Following this road will lead to a dirt-track to the west of Otopeni. From this dirt-track based aircraft can be read off.

4Museum

The former entrance of the RoAF Museum can be found at Higway 1. Only a Il-28 has remained. The museum has moved to a new location at: Bucharest, Fabrica de Glucoza Street, no.2-4, 2nd district. Opening schedule between 20 July and 1 August 2006 is: Monday – Friday: 09.00 - 15.30 Saturday and Sunday: 13.00 – 17.00

5Hotel 08 approach

A hotel, with swimming pool, is located in the approach of runway 08R. This is very convenient location for your activities. This is also the only spot allowed without prior permission.

Frequencies

120.900Tower
121.850Tower
121.700Ground
118.500ATIS
118.250/120.600Approach

Based Operators

901 Esc. Av. Transp. StrategicC-130B, C-130H
902 Esc. Av. Tr. Oper. si FotoC-27J, An-30
903 Esc. Elicoptere TransportIAR330L
RomaviaBAe146
TAROMA310, A318, ATR42/72, B737
Tiriac AirA109, Bell 206, B737, Ce560, Global Express

Preserved

405Il-28R, positioned at spot 4
Otopeni AirportOfficial Homepage
MuseumWebpage (in Romanian) for the Museum.
Romanian Spotters Forumthsi page has specific information about spotting at OTP, in English

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