BUCHAREST — The National Airports Company of Bucharest has begun auctioning off its two Business Lounges at Henri Coandă International Airport to the highest bidder, with the winning company required to demolish and rebuild both spaces while passengers are still seated inside them.
The auction, held in the departures terminal itself, drew a crowd of contractors, airline executives, and one confused tourist who thought he was bidding on a lost suitcase. Bidding opened at a complimentary glass of sparkling water and quickly escalated to a full-scale commitment: the winner must modernize the Schengen and non-Schengen lounges simultaneously, using only hand tools, during peak departure hours.
«We believe in transparency,» said a company spokesperson, calmly watching a bidder dismantle a champagne cooler with a crowbar. «The passengers will barely notice. We have issued them all complimentary earplugs and a pamphlet titled ‘This Is Normal.’»
By midday, the auction had transformed the terminal into a live construction site. One bidder offered to repaint the lounge ceiling while a family of four ate breakfast beneath it. Another promised to install new carpeting without asking anyone to lift their feet. Airport staff now guide travelers through a maze of scaffolding and wet cement, handing out hard hats as boarding passes.
The winning bidder will be announced next week, at which point they must begin work immediately or forfeit their deposit: a single, slightly used airport luggage cart.