AnimaWings Expands Network with New Direct Routes to Athens from Romania
Athens, April 1, 2026 – AnimaWings, a prominent airline, has announced the launch of two new direct air connections between Romania and Athens, Greece. Starting in April 2026, the airline will operate year-round flights from Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, significantly strengthening its network in Southeastern Europe and enhancing access to the Greek market.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Athens, where AnimaWings’ Chief Commercial Officer, Diana Dima, highlighted the strategic importance of these new routes. She emphasized that the flights are designed to cater to both leisure travelers and the burgeoning business travel segment between Greece and Romania.
Athens: A Key Destination for Romanian Travelers
According to Dima, Athens is a highly popular leisure destination for Romanian travelers and an increasingly vital business hub in the region. The city benefits from growing trade exchanges, investment flows, and corporate travel demand between Greece and Romania. The new direct flights from Cluj and Timișoara are expected to provide faster and more comfortable access, fostering stronger economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the two nations.
The two new routes will operate twice a week, specifically every Thursday and Sunday. The Cluj-Napoca – Athens route will establish a direct link between Transylvania’s largest economic metropolis and the Greek capital. Similarly, the Timișoara – Athens route will directly connect western Romania with Athens, addressing the demand for corporate travel, city breaks, and organized tourism.
Next-Generation Aircraft for Enhanced Travel Experience
AnimaWings plans to operate these flights using its new-generation Airbus A220-300 aircraft. These aircraft, recently integrated into the AnimaWings fleet, feature 148 seats across Economy and Premium Class. The company notes that these planes are specifically adapted for short- and medium-haul flights within Europe, offering superior comfort, a quieter cabin, and an overall upgraded travel experience for passengers.
The circular flight schedule is as follows:
- Departure from Timișoara: 06:40, arrival in Athens: 08:35
- Departure from Athens: 09:20, arrival in Cluj: 11:30
- Return from Cluj to Athens: 12:35, arrival: 14:40
- Flight from Athens to Timișoara: 15:25, arrival: 17:25
Greece: A Key Market for AnimaWings’ Summer Expansion
Beyond Athens, AnimaWings’ management has indicated that Greece remains a key market for the company’s summer expansion plans. The airline is also planning a series of seasonal connections from various Romanian cities to popular Greek destinations such as Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos. These additional routes will support both tour operator programs and individual travel demand.
Athens International Airport Welcomes Expansion
Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications and Marketing at Athens International Airport, expressed her enthusiasm for the new routes. She described the Romanian market as dynamic and consistently growing for Athens, noting its position among the top 20 most important international markets for the airport in terms of foreign visitors. In 2025, the Romanian market recorded an impressive 60% increase in visitor numbers.
Papadopoulou conveyed confidence that the new routes will effectively meet passenger needs, further solidifying Athens’ standing as a premier destination and a crucial connectivity hub within the broader region.
The expansion by AnimaWings underscores the increasing travel and economic ties between Romania and Greece, promising enhanced accessibility and opportunities for travelers from both countries.
