The internal flights market, currently dominated by TAROM, is set to become more dynamic in the coming years amid rising competition from both Carpatair and other new competitors, such as the low-cost airlines MyAir and Blue Air.

Whereas the international flights market has lured new operators each year, the internal flights market is still dominated by TAROM, with Carpatair (based in Timisoara) as the only other rival operating flights between various destinations in Romania. However, Blue Air and MyAir are both eyeing the internal flights market with a view to introducing flights between various domestic destinations.

Despite dropping the Bucharest-Cluj route from its services earlier this year, Blue Air is still mulling this segment, while Italy's MyAir is expected to start operating on this segment next spring, although has still not specified its destinations. MyAir announced its intention to introduce internal flights as early as last year, but will probably make a move next spring, according to company representatives. MyAir could be a serious rival to companies on the market, as well as to rail and road passenger travel.

"We want to offer internal flights at low prices," said Antonio Iervolino, MyAir Romania manager. This new strategy is also visible in the company's decision to base its operations in Baneasa and boost its fleet earmarked for the Romanian market. As a result, MyAir will have 2 Airbus aircraft in Romania, and plans to have 4 by next year. Internationally, the company has already acquired 19 Bombardier aircraft (with a 90-seat capacity), some of which may be used for internal flights. As a rule, carriers operate with aircraft with less than 100 seats on internal routes.

TAROM posted a 45% increase on the segment of internal flights in H1, registering 180,000 passengers. As a result of the high occupancy rate and risi