[1][2] Perhaps the largest manufacturing programme that the company has been involved in was mass production of the British-designed Britten-Norman Islander; over 500 airframes were reportedly completed in Romania.

Another major independent undertaking of the firm was the Rombac 1-11 airliner, a license-produced model of the BAC One-Eleven produced in Romania; however, sales never reached expectations and the programme was abandoned during the late 1990s.

[5] On 9 June 1979, Romanian president Nicolae Ceaușescu signed an agreement with the British Aerospace for the licensed production of the BAC One-Eleven in Romania.

Romania's economy and international position deteriorated to the point where supplies for One-Eleven manufacturing slowed to a trickle, with hard currency restrictions delaying overseas component deliveries;[6][8] the market foreseen had largely lacked interest, though some Rombac airliners were leased to European operators.

[6][10][11][12] In 1993, with US operator Kiwi International Air Lines placing a firm order for 11 Tay-engined aircraft with options for an additional five, but this plan fell through.

[14] During the 1990s, the company, recently rebranded as Romaero, became heavily engaged in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector, performing such work for numerous European operators across a large number of commercial aircraft.

[15] At the time, Britten-Norman also announced plans to invest substantial sums in the firm's manufacturing facilities at Băneasa Airport, including in its design and MRO capabilities.

During 2000, Romaero became the first aerospace company in Romania to receive JAR-145 approval from the Joint Aviation Authorities, enhancing its standing as a provider of MRO services.

In 2003, a deal with BAE Systems was announced for Romaero to build cargo conversion kits for the British Aerospace ATP short-haul airliner; the first example was completed during the following year.

In June of the same year, the debt accumulated by the state-owned company was transferred to the State Assets Administration Authority (AAAS) with the goal of attracting new investors.