increasingly important economic center, so the decision was made to build a large civil airport on its current location, between the communes of Giarmata, Ghiroda and Remetea Mare. The domestic terminal was inaugurated on 28 February 1964. Between 1964–1965, the runway was extended by 500 m (from 2,000 m to 2,500 m). In the mid-1970s, the Bucharest administration decided to modernize the Timișoara Airport. As the airport at that time could not meet the strategic military needs (its location at the western border of Romania), but also the increase in the number of passengers and civil air traffic (the introduction of international flights was desired), the decision was made to modernize and expand the airport by a state decree in 1976. Between 1977–1979, during the works, the air traffic in the area was taken over by Arad Airport, the transport of passengers from Arad to Timișoara and back being carried out with Timișoara Airport's own means. During this period, the runway was extended from 2,500 m to 3,500 m, and the international terminal, the control tower, the official lounge and the administrative building were inaugurated. Passenger and cargo flights began on 20 September 1979. International flights began a year later, on 1 November 1980. In the 1980s, passengers had six weekly flights to Bucharest and two weekly flights to Constanța and back. Between 1986–1989 there were two weekly flights to and from Frankfurt. During certain periods of this decade, Timișoara was connected by direct flights to Chicago and New York, one flight per week. Timișoara Airport was under siege during the 1989 Revolution. TABs were placed at each gate, and buses carrying passengers or employees were carefully checked by militiamen. The airport became an extremely important spot, with an impressive deployment of forces, and during the days of the Revolution, generals, ministers and delegates sent here from Bucharest by the presidential couple Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu to repress the Revolution passed through here. After 1989: Extension and modernization works The 1989 Revolution brought a major change for Timișoara Airport. The gradual economic liberalization and the commencement of some external flights, towards the West, opened new opportunities both for the population in the area and the foreign investors. Between 1993–1995, major repairs were made to the runway. In 1998, the storage hall for cargo and express courier services was inaugurated, Timișoara Airport thus becoming a freight transport hub. Between 2000–2001, major