Illustrative image from an air show, unrelated to BIAS 2026 participants. Photo: Hilmi Işılak/Pexels.
BIAS 2026 for drivers: car access, parking and traffic in Băneasa
The Bucharest International Air Show – BIAS 2026 takes place on 28 and 29 August at Bucharest Băneasa “Aurel Vlaicu” International Airport and ROMAERO. Public entry is free, but the organisers warn that parking spaces near the airport are limited and recommend public transport.
For drivers, that is the essential detail. On Saturday, 29 August, public access starts at 08:00, the air display runs from 10:00 to 21:00, and the programme continues until 22:00 with a concert. Congestion will not be concentrated in a single hour: waves of traffic are likely in the morning, before the main moments and after the show ends.
BIAS 2026 is not a motor show
BIAS is an aviation event, not a car exhibition. The official programme announces aerial displays, more than 50 general-aviation stands and aircraft on static display. The list includes aeronautical institutions, flying schools, airlines, aerospace technologies, simulators and historical exhibitions.
The programme published by the organisers does not include a dedicated car exhibition or a list of car premieres. The direct connection with cars is the movement of a very large number of spectators towards one of the busiest areas in northern Bucharest.
Where the event takes place
The address communicated by the organisers is:
Bucharest Băneasa “Aurel Vlaicu” International Airport
Șoseaua București–Ploiești no. 40, Sector 1, Bucharest
The area is connected to DN1, Bd. Aerogării, Str. Nicolae G. Caramfil and Șoseaua Ion Ionescu de la Brad. Buletin de București, a media partner of the event, lists these arteries among those expected to see heavy traffic.
The organisers have not announced a large, guaranteed car park reserved for the BIAS public. The official message is that spaces near the airport are few. Arriving by car at the entrance without a time buffer and without an alternative plan can mean a long spell in traffic, followed by a search for a legal space.
The schedule that matters for getting there
Friday, 28 August — rehearsals
- 14:30: public access begins;
- 14:30–18:30: training flights, exhibition and Static Display;
- after 18:30 no new visitors are admitted;
- 20:00: the public programme ends.
Saturday, 29 August — the main show
- 08:00: public access opens;
- 09:00: the flying programme begins;
- 09:00–18:30: the exhibition and static aircraft area are open;
- 10:00–21:00: air display;
- 21:00: drone display and fireworks;
- 21:00–22:00: concert.
The programme may be adapted depending on weather and operational conditions. Check the official website before leaving, even if you set the route a day earlier.
You can come by car, but parking is not guaranteed
The BIAS website includes the car among access options, but it warns explicitly about limited parking. There is no official confirmation that shopping-centre, office-building or shop car parks in Băneasa operate as event parking.
Each private space has its own rules, hours and pricing. The fact that a car park appears available in an app does not guarantee that it can be used all day for BIAS. Check with the operator before leaving the car, and do not block residents’ access or emergency routes.
Avoid parking:
- on the pavement, unless markings and signs allow it;
- at STB stops or near pedestrian crossings;
- on green spaces;
- in front of gates and technical accesses;
- in traffic lanes or in areas that obstruct emergency vehicles;
- in a private car park without checking the closing time.
A car left illegally can be fined or towed. At an event with a large crowd, a few badly parked cars can quickly block a side street.
The recommended option: leave the car and continue by public transport
For anyone coming from another city or from an area poorly served by STB, the practical solution is a combined trip: car to a legal car park away from the crowded perimeter, then metro, tram or bus.
Do not choose the transfer point by straight-line distance to the airport. What matters is the direct public-transport link and the ability to collect the car after 22:00. Check the tariff, the car park’s hours and the last service before you leave.
Special line 737 BIAS
STB and TPBI have introduced line 737 BIAS between Piața Victoriei and Băneasa Airport. On Saturday, buses run at planned 10-minute intervals, between 08:00 and 22:30.
The route uses Bd. Aviatorilor, Bd. Beijing, Str. Nicolae G. Caramfil, Bd. Aerogării and Str. Grațioasă. Actual arrival time can be affected by road traffic, because the bus crosses the same congested area.
Tram, metro and regular lines
Tram line 5 has extra capacity on 29 August. The official website also indicates Aurel Vlaicu metro station, on line M2, followed by walking or a surface connection.
Lines 100, 203, 304, 335, 441, 441B, 442, 443, 443B, 444, 446, 448 and 477 also stop in the Băneasa Airport area. Line 196 runs on a modified route during the special measures, and 290 provides a link between the Băneasa commercial area and Șoseaua Colentina.
Consult the Info TB app and STB communications on the day of travel. Routes, intervals and stops can change operationally.
If you need to reach northern Bucharest by car but are not going to BIAS
Drivers heading towards Otopeni, DN1, the Băneasa neighbourhood or the commercial area should avoid the event’s peak intervals if their schedule allows. Leave earlier and check traffic information before joining the route.
Do not automatically follow shortcuts proposed by the navigation app if they cut through residential streets that are already blocked. Follow police instructions and temporary signage. A route a few kilometres longer can be more predictable than crossing the Băneasa Airport area as the public leaves.
What to leave in the car, and what not to
BIAS means several hours spent outdoors. A car parked in the sun can heat up quickly, even if the outside temperature seems tolerable.
- do not leave children or animals in the car, even for a few minutes;
- do not leave phones, cameras, lenses or bags in view;
- take water and medicines that must not be exposed to high temperatures;
- check that the windows and boot are closed;
- photograph the parking spot and signage, especially in an unfamiliar area;
- keep enough battery in the phone for a ticket, navigation and the return.
If you come in an electric car, do not rely on finding a free charger next to the event. Charge before entering northern Bucharest and do not occupy a charging point after the session has finished.
What there is to see at BIAS 2026
The 16th edition is dedicated to Traian Vuia, 120 years after his first flight in a self-propelled aircraft. The programme announces more than 200 military and civilian participants from Romania and abroad.
Among the displays communicated are Frecce Tricolori, Turkish Stars, Rafale Solo Display, F/A-18, Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, together with the Romanian Air Force and Aeroclubul României. Actual participation and the flying order can change for technical or meteorological reasons.
The static exhibition includes commercial aviation, military and civilian aircraft, historical replicas, simulators, drone projects, robotics and educational stands. Public access is free.
A simple plan for a trip without a car stuck in Băneasa
- Check the programme and the weather before leaving.
- If you can, leave the car at home and use line 737, tram 5 or a combination with metro M2.
- If you are coming from outside Bucharest, choose in advance a legal car park connected to public transport.
- Do not treat nearby private car parks as BIAS parking without confirmation from the operator.
- Add time for access control, walking and congestion when leaving.
- After 21:00, avoid rushing to the car with the main flow; check the last connection’s timetable and leave in an organised way.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to BIAS 2026 free?
Yes. The organisers announce free public access.
Is there guaranteed official parking for spectators?
The organisers say spaces near Băneasa Airport are limited and recommend public transport. No large car park with a guaranteed space for every visitor has been announced.
What is the most direct link from central Bucharest?
Special line 737 BIAS runs between Piața Victoriei and Băneasa Airport. On Saturday the communicated schedule is 08:00–22:30, with a planned 10-minute interval.
What time does the main show start?
On Saturday, access opens at 08:00, the flying programme begins at 09:00, and the main air display is announced between 10:00 and 21:00.
What happens if the weather does not allow the show to take place?
STB states that if the 29 August programme cannot take place because of the weather, the transport measures planned for that day apply on 30 August. Confirmation that the event is going ahead should be followed on official BIAS channels.
