However, the initial 30 percent growth forecast by Atlassib’s owner Ilie Carabulea was not met, mainly due to the “Italian crisis,” brought about by negative sentiment faced by Romanians following the murder of an Italian citizen in Rome, supposedly by a Romanian Roma. Carabulea is optimistic about turnover in 2008, even if he thinks some clients will prefer to travel by plane.

Carabulea denied that he plans to establish an airline company. “Business is going well,” he added.

Atlassib transports daily up to 1,200 passengers to Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, England and France. Last year some 50 percent of the total passengers travelled to Italy, while 20 percent went to Spain.

Ilie Carabulea said he will build an Atlassib office in Sicily and does not exclude similar offices in other European countries in future.

The company registered profit worth €8 mln, 25 percent more year-on-year.
Atlassib Holding’s turnover was €270 mln, €45 mln more than in 2006. The company's main competitor is Eurolines.

Ilie Carabulea also owns 35.7 percent of Carpatica Bank.