Tarom
EU CarrierRO / ROT · RO
TAROM: Airline Profile & Passenger Guide
TAROM (Transporturile Aeriene Române, IATA: RO) is the flag carrier of Romania, operating from its main hub at Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest (OTP). The airline serves over 30 destinations across Europe and the Middle East, carrying approximately 3 million passengers per year. TAROM is one of the oldest airlines in the world still operating under its original name, having been founded in 1954.
EC261 Legal Status - TAROM
TAROM is an EU-registered carrier based in Romania. EC261 applies to all TAROM-operated flights departing from any EU/EEA airport and to TAROM flights arriving into the EU from non-EU countries. The responsible NEB is the AACR (Autoritatea Aeronautică Civilă Română) - the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority.
€250 - €600
EC261 compensation is set by distance: €250 for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. Most TAROM routes are short- to medium-haul European services, placing the majority of claims in the €250–€400 range.
- Bucharest to Budapest (650 km): €250
- Bucharest to London Heathrow (2,104 km): €400
- Bucharest to Paris CDG (1,869 km): €400
- Bucharest to Frankfurt (1,362 km): €250
The fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 aircraft for medium-haul European routes and ATR 72-600 turboprops for shorter regional services. TAROM was previously a member of SkyTeam alliance but its status has varied. The airline connects Romania's capital to major European business centres and provides essential domestic connections within Romania, including routes to Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași.
TAROM's punctuality has been a concern historically, with the airline's ageing fleet and limited financial resources contributing to operational challenges. The Romanian government has periodically injected capital to keep the carrier operating, and the airline has undergone several restructuring attempts.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why TAROM Flights Get Disrupted
- Fleet reliability issues - ageing aircraft requiring more frequent unscheduled maintenance
- ATR turboprop weather sensitivity - domestic services affected by fog, ice, and low visibility at regional airports
- Limited fleet depth - few spare aircraft available when a plane goes unserviceable
- Winter weather at Bucharest Henri Coandă - fog and snow disruptions between November and March
- Financial constraints affecting spare parts availability and maintenance turnaround times
How to Claim Directly from TAROM
TAROM handles claims through its contact page on the tarom.ro website. The process is relatively basic - submit a written claim or email clearly referencing EC Regulation 261/2004. Include your booking reference, flight number and date, passenger details, and a description of the disruption. Attach your boarding pass and any documentation of the delay or cancellation.
DIY Process
How to Claim Directly from TAROM
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1
Gather your booking reference, flight number, date, boarding pass, and disruption documentation
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2
Submit a written claim through TAROM's contact page or email, explicitly citing EC Regulation 261/2004
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3
Wait up to 30 days - if no response, send a follow-up setting a 14-day deadline and noting you will escalate
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4
If rejected or ignored, escalate to the AACR (Romanian Civil Aviation Authority) or pursue through Romanian courts
TAROM's typical response time is around 30 days, though the airline's limited customer service resources can lead to longer waits, especially during periods of heavy disruption. TAROM's claims handling has been criticized as slow and sometimes unresponsive. Be prepared to send follow-up communications and keep detailed records of all correspondence.
Tarom flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDIf TAROM rejects your claim or fails to respond, escalate to the AACR (Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority). The AACR handles EC261 enforcement for flights departing from Romanian airports. Romanian courts can also hear EC261 claims, and court fees in Romania are relatively low compared to Western European jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
TAROM cited a technical fault - is that an extraordinary circumstance?
Almost certainly not. The CJEU has consistently ruled that technical faults are inherent in the normal exercise of an airline's activity and do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances. This includes mechanical breakdowns, component failures, and even issues discovered during pre-flight checks. Only truly exceptional technical events - such as hidden manufacturing defects or sabotage - could potentially qualify.
TAROM is a state-owned airline with financial difficulties - will they actually pay?
TAROM is legally obligated to pay EC261 compensation regardless of its financial situation. If the airline refuses to pay a valid claim, enforcement through the AACR or Romanian courts remains available. In practice, persistence is often required, but TAROM does settle valid claims when properly pursued through official channels.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
www.tarom.roNational Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC)
Autoritatea Națională pentru Protecția Consumatorilor (ANPC)
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Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.