The evolution of air transport connectivity – a case study of Cluj-Napoca Int’l Airport

The main objective of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the evolution of air connectivity at a regional-class airport in South-East Europe — a topic for which scientific evidence remains limited. This study investigates the connectivity of the largest regional airport in Romania between 2019 and 2024. The connectivity model employed in our research aims to illustrate and analyze the transformation of the airport’s route network, taking into account not only quantitative data (passenger traffic and number of flights), but also qualitative indicators (such as load factor). During the examined period, passenger traffic at Cluj-Napoca Airport experienced significant fluctuations, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the end of the pandemic, air traffic resumed its growth, and by 2023, Transylvania’s largest airport had already surpassed its absolute record from 2019. Low-cost carriers are indispensable elements of Romania’s air transport system, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s passenger traffic. Based on the results, it can be stated that low-cost airlines play a decisive role in the development of air connectivity and, consequently, in the competitiveness of the airport as well.