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- After booking, each passenger receives an eSIM with 1 GB of free data
- Immediate internet access upon leaving the airport has become an essential requirement for travellers
- The initiative aims to avoid the difficulties frequently encountered due to the lack of a reliable Wi-Fi connection, unexpected roaming costs, or the need to purchase a local SIM card at the airport.
Paris – 18 December 2025 – Ubigi announces the signing of a partnership with TAROM, the Romanian national airline and member of SkyTeam, to offer passengers an eSIM solution during the booking process. The aim is to provide internet connectivity upon arrival — a service that has become essential for international travellers.
After completing their booking, each passenger will receive a Ubigi eSIM before departure. The offer includes 1 GB of free data as well as a 30% discount on their first additional data plan. This initiative helps travellers avoid the common difficulties encountered at the start of a trip: lack of reliable Wi-Fi, unexpected roaming charges, or the need to purchase a local SIM card at the airport.
An initiative aligned with the modernisation of passenger services
This partnership comes at a time when airlines are multiplying their efforts to offer additional digital services in a competitive market where the passenger experience has become a key differentiator. In this context, the Romanian aviation market is experiencing sustained growth. According to ACI Europe1, passenger traffic in Romania exceeded 24 million travellers in 2024, an increase of 17% compared with 2023. Bucharest-Otopeni Airport was also ranked the second fastest-growing airport in Eastern Europe, confirming the country’s strategic role in regional tourism flows.
The eSIM, adopted by a growing number of manufacturers (Apple, Samsung, Google) and now used by millions of travellers, reflects a shift in user behaviour: instant access to a mobile data plan without a physical card, and no more fear of uncontrolled or excessive roaming charges.
TAROM chose Ubigi for its expertise in supporting the needs of international travellers. The eSIM operates with a single profile valid in more than 200 destinations, allowing TAROM passengers to keep their Ubigi eSIM for all future trips. Ubigi also offers a range of prepaid data plans from 1 GB to unlimited, covering both short-term needs and extended stays. The Smart Start feature, which triggers activation only upon arrival, ensures optimal validity, while the unique ability to top up a plan even without Wi-Fi or credit provides additional reassurance for travellers. Finally, tethering, available on all plans, meets the needs of families, couples and groups travelling together.
“We are strengthening our value proposition by providing our passengers with a digital service renowned for its reliability and ease of use. Now, every flight with us means both secure transport connectivity and communication connectivity, facilitated by the first free GB you use as soon as you land at one of TAROM’s international destinations. We chose to collaborate with Ubigi for their expertise and competitive offer. This collaboration is part of the ongoing modernisation of our services,” adds Narcis Obeada, TAROM Commercial Manager
These features cover a wide variety of situations: short city breaks, multi-destination trips, long stays, business travel or bleisure trips. For TAROM, integrating this eSIM helps meet the expectations of travellers increasingly accustomed to managing their entire journey from their smartphone, starting at the time of booking.
Secure internet access upon arrival, a growing demand in international tourism
Access to the internet as soon as passengers leave the airport has become essential for many travellers. It is needed during the first steps of a trip: booking a transfer, checking an itinerary, contacting accommodation providers, or validating insurance or payment-related operations.
The adoption of eSIM technology has accelerated significantly in recent years, supported by smartphone manufacturers and evolving traveller behaviour:
- the need to stay connected to organise one’s trip,
- the increasing use of mobility, payment and booking apps,
- and the growing importance of remote work and long-term stays.
The ability to activate a plan even before leaving the country of origin is becoming a differentiating factor for airlines and travel companies. By integrating an eSIM into its passenger experience, TAROM positions itself within a growing trend among airlines: providing digital services that facilitate arrival and secure the first steps of a stay.
“Connectivity has become a key part of the travel experience. By partnering with TAROM, we are offering a simple and immediate solution that enables everyone to stay connected, regardless of their destination,” says Marie-Julie Le Guen, Director of Marketing and Operations at Ubigi.
About Ubigi (a Transatel brand)
Launched by Transatel (an NTT Group company) in 2017, Ubigi is a global 4G/5G connectivity service offering prepaid mobile internet plans to travellers, mobile workers and connected vehicle owners at near-local rates in over 200 destinations. Already used by several million individual and business customers, Ubigi leverages Transatel’s telecommunications network, its points of presence on different continents and its agreements with more than 300 mobile operators worldwide. Ubigi is compatible with all SIM- or eSIM-enabled devices: smartphones, tablets, laptops, SD-WAN routers and even connected vehicles (BMW, Stellantis, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover). For more information, visit ubigi.com, business.ubigi.com and ubigi.com/connected-cars
About TAROM
TAROM, the Romanian national air transport company, was established in 1954 and operates under the authority of the national Ministry of Transport, being a member of the SkyTeam Alliance since June 25, 2010. Romania’s national carrier has a fleet of 15 aircraft and serves over 50 destinations with its own aircraft or through its code-share partners. Since 1993, TAROM has been a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). More details about the products and services offered by TAROM can be obtained by visiting www.tarom.ro or by calling the Call Center toll-free at 004 021 99 78.
