Romanian flag carrier Tarom has sought an extension to transatlantic operation authorisation, although it has not indicated plans to operate its own aircraft on North American routes.
Tarom says it originally obtained this authorisation in preparation for codeshare services with SkyTeam partners Air France and Air Europa.
The Romanian carrier codeshares with Air France on several routes to US cities, but is not currently codesharing with Air Europa – whose SkyTeam membership will expire following its acquisition by Oneworld-linked IAG.
While Tarom has previously hinted at an ambition to return to long-haul operations, axed more than 15 years ago, it has yet to commit to a resumption.
In a regulatory filing with the US Department of Transportation the airline says its transatlantic authorisation under the US-European 'open skies' agreement expires on 29 November.
Tarom is seeking to extend this authorisation for two years but it documentation does not point to use of its own aircraft.
Its Air France codeshare, the airline states, provides "substantial benefits" to its passengers and Tarom argues that the public-interest considerations that supported its original authorisation "remain and warrant renewal".
