Thessaloniki. Photo: Aivita Arika / Shutterstock Romanian airline AnimaWings has announced it will further expand its regional operations by strengthening its presence at Cluj-Napoca International Airport. The company has recently announced a new direct route that will connect Cluj-Napoca with another important Greek city, Thessaloniki.
The new service will begin operations on June 2, 2026, and will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, during the summer, offerng a direct connection between Transylvania, a beloved tourist destination, and one of northern Greece’s key tourist destinations. Passengers will enjoy access to popular coastal areas, including the Riviera of Olympus, Paralia Katerini, and Olympic Beach, known for their affordable prices.
This new service also complements AnimaWings’ existing and planned routes from Cluj-Napoca. Alongside Thessaloniki, the airline is expanding flights to Athens, Olbia in Sardinia, and Bucharest, reinforcing the city's position as a growing operational base.
In addition to the new Greece route, AnimaWings is increasing its Cluj-Napoca operations with several key connections. The Cluj-Napoca–Athens route will begin on April 5, 2026, operating year-round with two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Another seasonal route, Cluj-Napoca–Olbia, will run between June 2 and September 29, 2026, with weekly service every Tuesday.
The airline confirmed that tickets are already available and published detailed schedules:
| Destination | Start route | Days | Program | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATHENS (ATH) | April 5 2026 | Thursday | Departure ATH 09:20 | Arrival CLJ 11:30 |
| Departure CLJ 12:35 | Arrival ATH 14:40 | |||
| Sunday | Departure ATH 09:20 | Arrival CLJ 11:30 | ||
| Departure CLJ 14:00 | Arrival ATH 16:05 | |||
| OLBIA (OLB) | June 2 2026 | Tuesday | Departure OLB 09:00 | Arrival CLJ 12:15 |
| Departure CLJ 13:20 | Arrival OLB 14:55 | |||
| THESSALONIKI (SKG) | June 2 2026 | Tuesday | Departure CLJ 08:35 | Arrival SKG 10:20 |
| Departure SKG 16:00 | Arrival CLJ 17:35 | |||
| Saturday | Departure SKG 09:05 | Arrival CLJ 10:40 | ||
| Departure CLJ 11:25 | Arrival SKG 13:10 | |||
Marius Pandel, CEO of AnimaWings: “Cluj-Napoca is becoming a strategic hub for AnimaWings, and the expansion of operations here reflects the growing demand for direct flights from Transylvania. We are focused on developing relevant routes that meet both the needs of the leisure and business segments, while offering a full-service flight experience, superior to the low-cost model. Our objective is to strengthen the role of regional airports in Romania's international connectivity.”
Viorel Federiga, President of the Board of Directors of Cluj International Airport: “We particularly appreciate the decision of AnimaWings to increase flight operations, offering diversity to travel alternatives from Cluj airport.”
David Ciceo, General Director of Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, added historical context and significance, noting the airport’s long development and ongoing route expansion over its 94-year history.
AnimaWings operates Airbus A220-300 aircraft configured for 148 passengers and offers a full-service onboard experience, including cabin baggage, seat selection, and check-in services included in the ticket price. Optional hot catering is also available. Through these developments, Cluj-Napoca continues to strengthen its position as a key regional aviation hub in Romania.