Romania's air traffic control certificate suspended by court, CSAT to discuss potential airspace closure

The court decision

On 27 February 2026, the Bucharest Court of Appeal suspended ROMATSA's air navigation service provider certificate for one calendar month. The ruling is not final, has not been motivated, and has been appealed. ROMATSA stated on 6 March that the decision produces no legal effects until it becomes definitive.

“The decision is not final. It can be appealed within 5 days of official communication. Until it becomes final, the decision produces no legal effects.”

Potential impact

If all appeals are exhausted and EUROCONTROL is obliged to enforce the measure, Romanian airspace would close. This would also shut down Moldovan airspace, as the two are managed together. EUROCONTROL told HotNews that nearly 2,000 international flights per day would be cancelled, and both civil and military flights would be affected.

Institutional response

The Judicial Inspection self-notified on 29 June to examine the circumstances of the ruling. The same day, President Nicușor Dan convened the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT), adding the ROMATSA case to the agenda as an urgent national security matter.

“Following information in the public space regarding a court decision on the suspension of ROMATSA's air navigation service certificate and its implications, the Judicial Inspection has self-notified to carry out preliminary checks, under the law.”

Background of the case

The suspension stems from a discrimination lawsuit filed by seven air traffic controllers against ROMATSA over employment conditions. The judge who issued the ruling is Liliana-Cătălina Alexe. ROMATSA has maintained that its operations continue normally and that the certificate remains valid while the appeal is pending.